Albury chef Cate Hardman and the commercial cookery trainees visited two North East farms ahead of a Paddock to Plate lunch for 62 diners at TAFE’s onsite eatery The Valleys Restaurant on Tuesday. 

Hardman, who is passionate about regional fare, led the students on excursions to Walkabout Apiaries at Milawa and Tolpuddle Goat Cheese and Farm Foods at Tarrawingee. 

She said it was important for trainees to learn about the exact origin of produce.

“The excursion allowed the students to understand how hard the producers really work,” she said.

“Being an artisan cheesemaker looks glamorous because they are on TV all the time just now but it’s really hard work.”

Hardman, who will relocate North East Feast to Olive Street, Albury, next week at the site formerly occupied by Grind eatery, used produce from about a dozen regional producers to devise a fine-dining lunch together with the apprentice chefs.

Highlights included prosciutto-wrapped chicken and halloumi meatball with tomato chilli pickle; hot smoked trout croquette, cornichon and caper salad; rustica tart of potato and nettles with aioli; and coffee jelly, lemon curd, coffee meringue and cream.

“After the excursion, there were students who had to prep for the lunch and those who did the lunch service, which came together very well,” she said.

Students researched and sourced the region’s best and healthiest produce during the excursions in line with Hardman’s fresh-food ideals. 

Three courses were matched with wines from Morrison’s, Booth’s Taminick Cellars and Baileys of Glenrowan.

Wodonga TAFE team leader Michelle House said about 30 students in commercial cookery, event management, agriculture, horticulture and photography courses were involved in the event. 

She said event management students tested their knowledge by hosting the event while agriculture and horticulture students contributed fresh vegetables and creative table-settings.

“It was a cross-department event,” she said.

Event management student Benjamin Creed was pleased with the outcome.

“It was a full house and absolutely brilliant,” he said.