For the past few years I’ve watched with envy as groups of creative, generous, clever people were gathering at events like Cherry Bombe Jubilee in the States and Blogtacular in the UK, thinking how much I’d love to go to something like this, but with a farming/food focus in my own backyard. So here goes. We at My Open Kitchen (meaning myself and my podcast co-host and as of this week one-day-a-week saving grace Skye Manson) are organising our very own festival of ideas and it’s going to go down in Orange next May.
So far, like all the best projects (fingers crossed), it has all come together super smoothly – everyone I’ve invited to join the line up of speakers and panelists has emailed back with a yes almost immediately, and our Keynote speaker Sara Tasker is taking a big leap of faith coming all the way from the UK to share her considerable wisdom with us. Yup. Excitement is building at MOK HQ.
So here’s what we know so far about the My Open Kitchen Gathering;
What’s it all about?
The main point of this event is to get a bunch of farmers, food producers and small businesses together to share ideas and inspiration about how we can all use social media to better tell our stories and build communities around what we do. Plus of course, spend a weekend with awesome, like minded people talking about food, taking photos and learning from each other. Starting with welcome drinks on Friday night we move on to Saturday with a full day of talks, panel discussions, feasting and networking and then finish up on Sunday with a choice of six mini-workshops covering everything from ‘Bloom and Grow’ with Sara Tasker to food writing, working with brands and loads more (still to be confirmed!).
Our keynote speaker will be….. Sara Tasker of Me and Orla and podcast Hashtag Authentic and truly we are just so thrilled to be bringing this lovely and clever ‘queen of Instagram’ out specially for this event – whoop boom bang. And the confirmed panelist line up so far, features some of our all time favourite Australian creatives; Luisa Brimble, Annabelle Hickson, Tamsin Carvan, Barbara Sweeney, Michelle Crawford and MORE to be announced soon.
When’s it happening?
Friday 17, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19th May
Where?
Various locations around Orange NSW (3.5 hours West of Sydney) but the main venue will be The Old Convent, 10 minutes out of Orange..
Why?
See above.
How much will it cost?
Cost of all events is still to be confirmed but the main event, Saturday’s full day of talks and panel discussions will be $300 including morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
How do I get tickets?
Basically – the main thing to do is sign up for the My Open Kitchen newsletter as all updates and ticket details will drop there first.
Program details will be announced on October 16
Advance bookings will open on October 23 for past, present and future (enrolled) students of the My Open Kitchen ecourse) then the following week, October 30, we’ll open up for general bookings first via the My Open Kitchen blog. (www.my-open-kitchen.com)
We can only fit 70 into the venue so that’s how many tickets are up for grabs!
Want to support us?
We are going to be looking for sponsors to help us make this event as fantastic and delicious as possible so if you are a coffee roaster, wine maker, cheese maker, bag printer, tea blender, whatever, and would like to be a part of this event please get in touch – [email protected]
This is the first of what I hope will grow to be an annual event bringing generous, creative, food and farming loving people together to share ideas, inspiration and collectively propel each other forward. That’s it for now! Whoop. Sophie x