Restaurant takeover to support farmers

22nd February 2021 | Eativity editors

Foodies on the Gold Coast can indulge their taste buds with a true paddock-to-plate experience that promises to be as delicious as it is impactful. Be Our Guest is a new food and wine event that’s been created to support local farmers.

Be Our Guest is a year-long collaboration with local producers who are doing it tough, whether they’ve been affected by bushfires, drought or the impacts of COVID-19.

Once a month, QT Gold Coast’s Bazaar Marketplace will invite guests to an intimate food and wine experience where QT’s award-winning chefs will work with each producer to curate a one-of-a-kind five-course showstopper to hero their produce. Guests can sample each offering while engaging with the producer and learning their personal stories.

The Tommerups produce ethically-farmed pork, pastured eggs and artisan dairy products.

The series kicks off with Tommerup’s Dairy Farm. The sixth-generation dairy farm, with farming duo Dave and Kay Tommerup at the helm, has been part of the fabric of the Scenic Rim since 1874. After suffering through one of the worst droughts in history, as well as bushfires and the ongoing effects of COVID-19, the pair have evolved their business in true farming spirit to overcome these challenges. The Tommerups’ new, ethically-farmed products deliver an authentic farm-to-plate experience for the conscious consumer.

“We’re both very passionate about keeping the farm going for future generations, and we want to respect and honour the previous generations who have farmed here,” Kay says. “We love helping our visitors connect with where their food comes from.

“As farmers, we take a huge amount of pride in producing the highest quality products, but we need the consumer to take pride in being part of the food chain as well. We need them to recognise value in supporting sustainability, innovation and quality – farmers can’t continue to strive for these things without knowing the consumer has our back, too.

“Food security is everyone’s responsibility, and by connecting farmers and consumers, we can all feel part of shaping our food future.”

The event is an opportunity to sample quality local food and meet the people who produce it.

QT chefs have designed a premium menu to hero Tommerup produce in a menu that brings out the flavours of the farm’s creamery and pork products, with an optional wine pairing. Guests are also invited to buy products to continue to support local producers.

Be Our Guest: Tommerup’s Dairy Farm takes place on February 28 at 12pm at Bazaar Marketplace, QT Gold Coast. Tickets $135pp. QT will donate 5% of the ticket price to Drought Relief. For more information or to book, click here.