Media Release

Thursday, 16 November 2006

The University of Adelaide's Waite Campus is showcasing its leading research and education and the impact these have on our food, drink and lifestyle with a food and wine festival this Sunday, 19 November.

The inaugural Waite Festival offers a range of foods and cooking demonstrations, wines, non-stop live music and other entertainment, tours and research trails - all among the lovely setting of the Waite Campus lawns.

Waite Campus Director Professor Geoff Fincher said: "Research and education at the University's Waite Campus has national and international significance to the agriculture and wine industries. But more than that, this research has tremendous impact on the food and drink we consume and our everyday lifestyles.

"We want people to come to the University of Adelaide's Waite Campus, to see what we do here, to experience the science behind our food and drink, and to have a really good time."

Cereals bred at the Waite Campus account for 90% of the State's barley production - used in beer production and animal feed - and 66% of SA's wheat production - used in a range of foods. Other leading research includes horticulture, plant and pest science, plant genomics, oenology (wine-making) and viticulture, and soil and land systems.

The Waite Festival offers three information trails - Grape, Grain and Green & Groovy - as well as interactive exhibitions and displays looking at the science behind our beer, wine, bread and pasta. There also will be demonstrations from talented chefs including Maggie Beer; the opportunity to sample the finest wine, beer and food; competitions and raffles; and live music from local jazz groups including etypejazz and JJ Fields.

The festival will be officially opened by the Hon Michael O'Brien MP at 11am. In honour of the occasion, he will plant a rare Wollemi Pine in the Waite Arboretum.

The festival is free and open from 10am to 5pm, Waite Campus, Waite Road, Urrbrae. Free parking is available or shuttle buses run from the Adelaide Railway Station. Further information can be found on www.waitefestival.com.au