The showcase offered a rare opportunity for local producers to meet each other as well as show their wares to a crowd that appreciates quality food.

Ian Frith from Illawarra Prime Alpaca was one of 19 businesses that took part in the showcase.

“This is fantastic because we mingle with apprentice chefs. They see something interesting and new and tell their boss about it. Anything we can do to get them interested is good, they’re the future,” he said.

Maria Morabito from Contadino – The Olive Farm said the showcase introduced her business to a lot of people who were not aware of it.

“It’s nice to catch up with other people in the industry,” she said.