Culinary Heritage

It's all about heritage really.

Drinking Guinness, eating seafood and going to Myrtleford in search of stories of my Irish great grandparents but, at the same time sampling and judging traditional Italian dishes, salamis and wines.

Sounds complicated but that's what growing up in Australia with an Italian mother, and a father of Irish and Scottish parentage is all about. And there's no better way to trace the family history than through food.

On October 10 and 11 The Ovens Valley International Festival showcases the area's rich migrant heritage with cooking demonstrations and tastings of local home cooks' vegetable and fruit preserves; vinegar's; breads; salamis; savoury and sweet dishes and homemade wines. Many of the latter will come from the King Valley which, like Myrtleford was a tobacco growing centre for many years. Many Italian families switched from tobacco to grapes and the Valley is now emerging as Victoria's largest source of grapes for wine production.

Last November I went to the King Valley Virgin Wine Food and Arts Festival and its Shed Show during which I tasted several hundred wines. Everyone who tasted got a vote, it must be the most democratic wine event in the country. But things are organised a bit differently on October 11 at the Myrtleford Showgrounds. From 10.30am there will be food stalls offering a range of local foods including regional dishes from the Trentini, Trevisani, Calabrese, Vicentini and Alpini Clubs which have a strong local membership. These are representing five regions of Italy, for although this Biennial Festival is now termed International, the majority of the competitors and inhabitants are Italian. This year's is the 13th event of what started some 25 years ago as an Italian Festival to raise money to build the local kindergarten.

As well as food there will be lots of music and dance all Sunday. And as well as wine there will be some interesting beers on offer. Entry charge is by voluntary gold coin donation. On the Saturday the competition entries are being judged at St Mary's, Myrtleford, from 1pm. Tickets for that day must be booked by phone 0357 511350 and the $15 charge includes food, coffee and wine tastings as well as afternoon tea.

And the week before, on October 3 & 4 the Albury Wodonga Wine & Food Festival provides another interesting opportunity to taste a range of regional food and wine as well as specialised ethnic foods from the migrant groups that settled in those towns. Wine and Dine on High is at Woodland Grove Wodonga from 10am-3pm on Saturday, a Festival Feast dinner in the QE2 Square that night and on the Sunday the International Fair & Regional Producers' Picnic is in Hovell Tree Park, Albury from 10am-4pm. For more information call 1800 800 743

As for drinking Guinness, well I am neither a hospital patient nor pregnant (it's high iron content makes it highly recommended for those conditions) but St Patrick's Day has always been a significant day in the O'Donnell calendar. However it was for the first time recently that I celebrated its half way point in the year. And why not, especially when it is matched with Tasmanian Pacific oysters. The flavours certainly work and the clear steel grey and brown creamy combination reminds me of the restaurant, Langton's interior - comfortable, stylish and excellent background for other colours and creative themes.

Guinness Australasia has developed a selection of recipes with Guinness . Story first appeared in the Hearld Sun on 29 September 1998
©Mietta's 1998.