The Edible Gardens Festival is set to serve up something special in 2026, with the introduction of a seasonal three-course long table lunch celebrating the very best of the Margaret River region.
Held on Saturday May 23 at the South Regional TAFE ‘Gather and Feast’ restaurant, the long table lunch is perfectly aligned with the festival’s ethos of sustainability, seasonality and community connection.
Guests will enjoy a thoughtfully crafted autumn menu built around fresh, local produce and sustainably farmed proteins, all sourced direct from boutique growers and producers.
Some of the seasonal vegetables and herbs will come from local grower Amy Dyson’s Plumo Market Garden, along with produce from the new market garden in Cowaramup operated by Wayfinder Wines. Wayfinder have also generously donated wines for the lunch; honey is coming from the hives at the Snake and Herring winery garden; while proteins will also be sourced locally from The Farmhouse Margaret River artisan meats and Glenarty Road farm – ensuring a true paddock-to-plate experience that reflects the region’s strong food culture.
Martine is the head gardener at Glenarty Road, which is supplying lamb for the long table lunch
Tafe collaboration for long table lunch
The lunch is a collaboration with cookery and hospitality students from South Regional TAFE’s Margaret River campus, who will prepare and serve the meal under the guidance of their chef-qualified lecturers. For the students, the event forms part of their training and assessment as they work towards becoming the next generation of chefs and hospitality professionals.
“Guests won’t just enjoy a beautiful meal,” says Edible Gardens Festival organiser Trev Paddenburg. “They will also hear from the chefs, growers and producers who contributed to the menu, gaining insight into the care, skill and sustainable practices behind every ingredient.”
These Tafe students are excited to be preparing the first Edible Gardens Festival long table lunch
Meanwhile, live music from South Regional TAFE music students will add to the celebratory atmosphere overlooking the Margaret River Farmers Market site.
“The long table lunch captures exactly what the Edible Gardens Festival is about: connecting people to their food, to the land, to the community and to each other,” says Trev. “We’re so excited to be teaming up with the talented South Regional TAFE students, and to offer this long table lunch in additional to the open gardens, gardener talks, live demonstrations, workshops and stalls that also feature on the program.
“The $55-a-head long table lunch for 60 people sold out within a week when tickets went on sale to the Edible Gardens Festival last month, so it’s definitely proved to be a big hit. The good news is tickets are still available to both days of open gardens at the festival, and most of the 19 workshops – although they are going fast as well!”
Tafe cookery lecturer Kelly Brennan
Edible Gardens Festival open gardens and more info
The Edible Gardens Festival is a not-for-profit community, gardening and sustainability event taking place from May 22-24 across the region. Last year it attracted more than 1,000 attendees across two days of open gardens and hands-on workshops.
The 2026 program again features a diverse range of private edible gardens open to the public, practical workshops, expert talks and special offers from local businesses. Ticket holders enjoy access to inspiring home gardens, opportunities to learn from experienced growers, and exclusive festival discounts.
The long table lunch will take place on Saturday May 23 from 1.30pm to 3pm at the South Regional TAFE restaurant Gather and Feast, Lot 272 Bussell Highway, Margaret River.
Open gardens day tickets, workshop tickets and seats at the long table lunch available now to book via the festival website HERE.