Whenever anyone thinks “Food, Wine and craft beer” in Ballarat and the surrounding region, they think “Kate Davis”.Having worked in the events industry for over 10 years focusing on beer, wine and food, Kate is fulfilling her desire to link local producers with chefs, café and restaurant owners.Kate collaborates with Ballarat and the regions thriving and diverse hospitality industry to create and deliver new and exciting food experiences, and genuine B2B relationships. Kate’s mantra is that “great food starts with great produce.”In 2017 Kate announced her intentions to create Plate up Ballarat, an innovative month-long food festival designed to position Ballarat as the culinary capital of Western and regional Victoria. It is an inclusive, supportive, collaborative, artisan showcase claiming ownership to the month of May in the food scene citywide.The calendar puts the spotlight on quality local producers, restaurateurs, chefs, wine makers and brewers. Events are held in existing premises each day from 1 to 31 May.During the festival in 2018, it became apparent that there was a need and a demand to create a platform that connected chefs, café/restaurant owners and consumers to our region and its backbone, the producers.Kate is passionate about the Ballarat and surrounding regions. She has embraced the opportunity to develop her business Eat Drink West, focusing on connecting and collaborating with local producers across Western Victoria, Ballarat’s restaurants and cafes, and the all important consumers. Eat Drink West meets a long awaited need to bring all these elements together.
Read More

Kesh’s strong link to Plate Up Ballarat can be attributed to her family's catering business which saw her working from the age of 10 in food and beverage & special events. Her passion for food grew and, whilst she once considered becoming a chef, she decided against it as a career... Instead Kesh brings her PR & Event Promotion skills to the team, to showcase all that the festival has to offer. Kesh is a podcast pro and our lovely host of the Eat Drink West podcast series!
Read More

Graduating in 2017 from College of Event Management, Bonnie combined her love for food and events to become Event Manager of Plate Up Ballarat. Currently working in the hospitality industry and studying Business Marketing, she is keen to be a part of Ballarat’s rising and diverse hospitality industry.Bonnie is extremely proud to be part of the process of connecting producers with venue operators during the Plate Up Ballarat food festival!
Read More

A passionate foodie and a lover of all things local, Tayla brings her management and relationship skills to Eat Drink West. Currently studying nutrition, Tayla hopes to combine her love for Ballarat, Regional Victoria and passion for healthy living to bring a unique outlook. Tayla is thrilled to connect with and represent the collaborative space that is Eat Drink West.
Read More

Landscape, streetscape, portrait, still life - no matter what the subject, Penthea’s photographic images search for the unusual in the commonplace, the extraordinary behind the ordinary, the remarkable hidden in everyday. When Penthea is not taking photos you’ll most likely find her baking up a storm for her beloved food business, Vegas & Rose, in Ballarat. In 2019, she undertook the role of festival photographer for Plate Up Ballarat, taking images of over 50 events throughout the month.
Read More

If supporting local wineries is your thing, and you love to have a range of regional wines on your list, then look no further than Brad Fernando to help you out with your upcoming menu choices.Concentrating on good value, surprises that delight, and diversity across the regions, Brad can assist you with your wine list, offer assistance in pairing wines with your menu choices, or simply organise your next wine maker dinner for you. Take your customer through a sense of discovery as you foster a community of celebrating local wines and local wine makers across Western Victoria. Brad’s Story Raised in the inner north Melbourne suburb of Carlton, home to iconic Italian restaurants as well as Watson's wine bar and King & Godfree supermarket and wine shop. There was a mapped out plan for Brad even if he was unaware at the time.Brad started his first part time role at 14 years of age packing groceries at King & Godfree, whilst his mum Heather worked just down the way at Watson's wine bar. "All my wages went on cured meats,Bisleri mineral water, plus olives and cheeses etc from the great deli at K&G". At the very young age of 17 and a half, Brad headed to Europe where he worked front of house in London for a couple of years.Six and a half years later he returned to Melbourne and worked at Alphington House wine bar in Carlton under the guidance of Brenda Symons and working alongside renowned chef and restauranteur Annie Smithers. From here it was to the Lord Newry Hotel in North Fitzroy followed by time spent with Ian Hewitson at Memories of the Mediterranean, this restaurant was at the hotel formerly known as Rockman's Regency, now known as the Melbourne Marriott. Brad had the privilege of working with some amazing people at Memories of the Mediterranean and learnt so much about the hospitality industry. Years later a move to regional Victoria to Ballarat where Brad worked at Bibo cafe followed by time at Eclectic Tastes.A job came up with well known Pyrenees winery Summerfield. Brad worked with Summerfield for 8 years before going out on his own with his own business Regional Wine Sales Victoria and also working with Australian Wine Agencies. Brad always was a great advocate for the region and now represents some fantastic winery's from the Ballarat, Pyrenees, Grampians and Macedon Ranges wine growing areas.Brad has also added Springmount Fine Foods to his portfolio and is extremely passionate about what he does. If he doesn't hold what you want he will certainly source it for you.If you're looking to stock wines from the West or some local produce please get in touch with Brad at Regional Wine Sales Victoria. Mobile: 0498 834123 regionalwinesalesvictoria@gmail.com
Read More