The Butcher, the Baker and the Merrymaker at Canberra's Pialligo Estate

It's snowing in some parts of Australia right now and I can also report that there's a thick layer of ice covering everything outdoors in Canberra this morning, too. It's winter in my home town and, as I mentioned recently, despite the bone-chilling cold, there is much to celebrate.

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Renowned Canberra foodie destination, Pialligo Estate, is bringing providores and boutique sellers from across Australia to the capital in a month-long series of events celebrating winter.

​From 1 to 31 July, The Butcher, The Baker and the Merrymaker will embrace the cold through twelve amazing events in one location. From midwinter Christmas feasts to a pudding day (yum!), long lunches, and a Feather and Bone masterclass, Pialligo Estate’s ‘cool’ event series will cater to every winter whim and want.

'Canberrans tend to hibernate during our colder months,' says my friend in food, Charlie Costelloe, the General Manager at Pialligo Estate.

'We’re taking inspiration from the Northern Hemisphere tradition of celebrating winter, showing off the very best warming dishes, drinks and produce in events that will excite the tastebuds. We want to connect Canberrans with producers in an interactive and delicious way, and fill their winter calendar with unique food-based events.' he said. Sounds wonderful, no?

The Butcher, The Baker and the Merrymaker will kick off with a decadent Midwinter Feast on 1 July, featuring communal tables, mouth-watering roasts, live music and flowing drinks that will warm guests from the inside out.

Charlie says the event series also boasts some of the biggest names in Australian ethical and sustainable produce. James Madden from Flinders Island Meat and Cape Grim Beef’s Michael Kay will ‘get into the guts’ of meat and the industry, in a masterclass designed for lovers of natural produce; while Grant Hilliard from Feather and Bone, Sydney-based butcher, providore and purveyor of quality ethical and sustainable meat, will share his passion for provenance in a hands-on workshop encouraging home cooks to take their skills to another level.

Pialligo Estate’s own Gourmet Providores will take guests on a journey of smoking, grilling and curing, providing a rare glimpse into what makes our produce so sought after.
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Unfortunately, I missed the VIP media launch, but am assured that punters can smell, touch, taste and celebrate winter via The Butcher, The Baker and The Merrymaker events at Pialligo Estate from 1 to 31 July 2016. For information about all of the events, including menus and bookings, visit the web site.

Images courtesy Pialligo Estate and Alexandra Orme Photography. Text source media release.

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