Alexander Daniel from the Gyongyosbokreta Hungarian Dance Group with Lángos

Australians know how to celebrate around food and wine, particularly as we are blessed with some of the finest produce in the world. Throughout the year, there are food and wine events held in cities and towns across Australia — some are more low key than others, but all capture the spirit of indulgence in good things food and wine.

Jessica Saines (left), Caitlin Muller (middle) and Emily Hardy (right) 2014 Cherry Queen Entrants

There's a lot to be said for 'good old country hospitality', particularly in Australian towns such as Young in New South Wales, which is currently gearing up for the 65th National Cherry Festival. 

It was all hands on deck in the bustling kitchen at Nomad in Sydney's Surry Hills for the #goodfoodmonth literary lunch with esteemed chef, Yotam Ottolenghi. Dessert legend Christine Manfield, and Somer Sivrioglu from Effendy were there to assist Ottolenghi, along with with Ramael Scully, head chef at Ottolenghi, and Nomad's Nathan Sasi and his team. 

Long time readers of Good Things will know that yours truly is a city-girl. I was born and bred in Canberra, Australia and have lived here all of my life and absolutely love it. And yet there deep down inside there's always been a wee yearning for a taste of the rural life. As good as that sounds, I do ask myself how I'd go with a tree change. Heck, I break out in hives from head to foot at the mere sight of a horse. I love cows but am also just a little daunted by their size. And my hay fever would get in the way of any crop farming outdoors in the dusty Australian landscape. That said, I do so greatly appreciate farmers and farming, a little like ABC Landline's wonderful journalist, Pip Courtney, who loves everything to do with rural life but once told me (via Twitter) that she's not a country lass either. 

Our planet and the creatures that we share it with are nothing short of awesome and there are many good things that we should all endeavour to see at least once in our lives. I have a bucket list that includes whales, gorillas and sharks. How about you?

One of the best things about working in the city (apart from my 12th floor sweeping views across Canberra) was that my office was located right across the walkway from the Handmade Canberra Shop on City Walk. I'd often pop down and browse at all the goodies, sometimes purchasing a special gift for a friend or indulging in a handmade gift for myself.

Watching the food and wine scene blossom and grow over the years in my home town of Canberra has been nothing short of tremendous. The area now boasts a number of award-winning wineries, smokehouses, bakeries, and brewers among a delicious list of local producers. Meeting the makers has been at the top of my list of good things to do in and around the region. Now, the innovators behind a street food event called 'The Forage' have created the ideal opportunity for Canberrans to get up close and personal with the faces and producers behind the businesses and the produce.

Tickets have almost sold out for the Cherry Blossom 'Long Lazy Lunch' which will be held in an orchard at Young on Sunday, 21 September. The luncheon is the official fundraising event for the Cherry Queen entrants in the National Cherry Festival and proceeds from the day are split between the entrants' chosen charities.

Spring is perhaps the most beautiful of the four seasons that we enjoy here in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. Perhaps as a celebration of sunshine and warmer days, there are festivals and events galore — including Floriade and Nightfest, the Canberra International Film Festival, The Canberra Latin Dance Festival, Tidbinbilla Extravaganza, as well as — perhaps one of my absolute favourites — the Thai Food and Cultural Festival, which is held at Sala Thai on the grounds of the Royal Thai Embassy.

Chrissie Wittich, owner of the V Spot Café with her daughter Georgia Hamon (right) and Ash Coates (left)

'Dear Liz,' read the invitation, 'At V Spot Café, we are passionate about promoting clean eating and nutrient dense, minimally-processed food that is low in sugar and high on taste. We’d love to showcase a delicious range of breakfast items from our menu. With this in mind, we hope you can join us for an intimate evening of Breakfast (our way) for Dinner.'