F ree from the Covid enforced restrictions in 2021 – which followed the cancellation of the event 12 months prior – Agfest’s field days were again buzzing with life this year. More than 50,000 people attended Quercus Park across the four days in late August, lapping up some picture-perfect weather on Thursday and Friday while not even some light drizzle on the Saturday could keep the crowd numbers down, which saw an estimated 20,000 people roll through the gates. For the first time the THA joined the festivities, taking centre stage in the main pavilion on South Street as 26 stallholders from across the state showcased some of the best food and beverage produce the island has to offer. The ‘Best of Tasmanian Hospitality’ area was full of activation from the minute the first onlookers wandered through on Wednesday morning, with an array of guest speakers, industry professionals hosting demonstrations as well as competitions and give-aways unfolding on the staged area. All of the stallholders commentated positively on the hive of activity, with records being broken and stock flying out the doors. This included the hugely popular Angus Gourmet Steak Sandwich stall, which often had a que of 50 people deep just to get their hands on a famous steak. “Really proud to be part of the THA shed this year and really a festival within a festival I think,” said owner Vaughan Taplin. “What a great set up, the party lights, the picket fences, the tables... where else would you want to be? We are really proud to be part of it with the THA and we look forward to maybe returning next year
again.
“While I’m normally optimistic with the amount of meat and supplies I get in, for the very first time in the history of me having this business for 10 years or so, we actually sold out [on Saturday]. “We have a great reputation, people see the word Angus and gourmet steak sandwiches and they flock to us. As soon as they walk into the shed they can smell the bbq, smell the steak cooking.” Taplin said his focus is primarily pop up events around the state, with the Agfest regular praising the efforts of the organisers. “We focus on festivals, we have been heavily involved in the Taste of Tasmania, Taste of the Huon, Festivale, and most proudly this event here at Agfest for 15 years, well before I had the business. We love supporting the guys who run Agfest. It is a magnificent event.” A nother stall which exceeded its own expectations was Ned Whiskey, a product from Australian company Top Shelf International. Before midday on Wednesday the locally based Ned Whisky crew – which includes former Tasmanian cricket star Damien Wright – had sold all their initial 50 bottles of stock, leading to a frantic dash to secure more product for the remainder of the event. “We have been overwhelmed with the amount of people who have come through and really supported us, come to try our product and bought it,” Wright said.
9 Tasmanian Hospitality Review Oct/Nov Edition
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs