The lowdown on Nosh Narrabri 2025

Narrabri’s premier food and drink festival, Nosh Narrabri, has been a cornerstone of the region’s cultural calendar for years. And thanks to longstanding supporters like Roberts + Morrow, the much-loved event is set to return this August with a fresh, new format, a star-studded line-up, and a renewed focus on hands-on experiences. Count us in!

This community story is proudly brought to you in partnership with Roberts + Morrow.

For over two decades, Nosh Narrabri has been a cornerstone of the region’s cultural calendar, born from a time when local markets were a rarity. It has since grown into a celebrated institution, drawing thousands to the heart of the Namoi Valley to celebrate the rich tapestry of local produce and culinary talent. This year, the volunteer-run committee is shaking things up, ensuring the beloved event remains fresh, engaging, and sustainable for years to come.

Nosh Narrabri President, Angie Jones, recently got us up to speed.

“We’ve been going for so long that we need to keep it interesting and fun. This drive for innovation is at the heart of the 2025 festival, which promises a dynamic blend of cherished traditions and exciting new additions,” she says.

“Nosh 2025 is all about new experiences and bringing even more life to our much-loved event. We’re blending tradition with fresh ideas, from hands-on workshops to sampling local dishes, bevvies and brews. We can’t wait to welcome food lovers from near and far.”

Culinary delights aplenty

Nosh Narrabri will unfold over three delicious days, offering a full weekend of festivities. The excitement kicks off on Friday night, 29 August, with an exclusive Q&A session with celebrated chef and television personality, Gary Mehigan. Hosted at The Tourist Hotel, this intimate evening will see Gary share stories from his incredible culinary journey, discuss the vital importance of regional produce, and give a sneak peek of the weekend’s highlights.

Saturday, 30 August, remains the festival’s centrepiece, transforming the festival grounds into a bustling marketplace with 41 food and drink vendors.

Gary Mehigan will take centre stage on Saturday with a live cooking demonstration, sharing his expertise and passion with festival-goers. He’ll also take on hosting and judging duties for two of the day’s most anticipated competitions – the ever-popular Nosh BBQ Cook-Off and a live cocktail making competition.

The 2025 Cook-Off returns with a twist as an “All-Stars Edition,” pitting previous winners against each other for ultimate bragging rights. While the new cocktail-making comp will see mixologists battle it out, with the winning creation to be featured on the menu at The Tourist Hotel for a limited time.

The weekend wraps up on Sunday 31 August, with the highly anticipated Nosh Long Lunch. This year, the event embraces a divine Italian theme, with local culinary star Katrina White of Relish Catering crafting a stunning four-course menu.

New workshops on the block

Perhaps the most exciting new feature for 2025 is the introduction of five ticketed workshops, designed to give attendees a deeper, more interactive festival experience. These hands-on sessions provide a unique opportunity to learn directly from talented local artisans and exhibitors.

“We’re thrilled to offer these hands-on workshops,” says Georgia Phelps, Workshops Coordinator for Nosh Narrabri. “It’s all about making the festival more interactive, educational, and fun, and we can’t wait for everyone to join in.”

The line-up includes:

• Hop Rubbing & Beer Tasting: Presented by the New England Brewing Company, this session will guide beer lovers through the aromas of hop rubbing and a curated tasting of their craft beers.
• Cupcake Decorating: Join Janice Smith for a fun and creative session learning the tips and techniques to decorate beautiful cupcakes.
• Shake & Snack – Cocktail and Food Pairing: Join Georgia of Josephine’s Drinks as she reveals the magic behind her signature Blood Orange Margarita, then lifts the curtain on the perfect Espresso Martini and curated wine pairings — no bartending experience required. Alongside this, Arrnott will share his refined approach to Barramundi Crudo, offering a live demo and inside tips, while teasing out the stories behind a selection of accompaniments already prepared to surprise your palate
• Winding Cocktails – Australian Rum & Gin Cocktail Making: Learn to craft delicious cocktails like a pro using premium spirits from the Winding Road Distillery.
• Topper’s Mountain Vertical Wine-Tasting: Explore a decade of winemaking and resilience in a vertical tasting that tells the story of the Topper’s Mountain vineyard, shaped by everything from hailstorms to bushfires.

Another stellar update for 2025? The entire festival will be fully licensed! This means folks can purchase a glass of wine or a craft spirit from any exhibitor and savour the delightful tipple while wandering through the festival, soaking up the live music and vibrant atmosphere. #dreamy

Big fun for little foodies

Nosh Narrabri never forgets the little foodie legends, and this year’s event boasts an expanded Nosh Kids program. On Saturday, a dedicated Nosh Kids Zone will offer a fantastic line-up of free activities to inspire the next generation of food lovers. The zone will feature a jumping castle, temporary tattoos of the festival’s mascot ‘Noshy’ the tomato (legend), and educational fun with the popular Bubble Muffin cooking workshops. Children can also engage in hands-on learning by milling wheat into flour with the “Mini Milling: Grain to Goodness” activity or take an immersive “Paddock to Plate Adventure” via a virtual reality experience from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).

The community spirit behind the sustenance

Behind the scenes, Nosh Narrabri is powered by a passionate team of volunteers. The continued success and growth of the event hinges on the generous support of the community and its sponsors.

“I really can’t stress enough how important their backing is for us to continue as an event, because we just couldn’t do it without sponsorship and funding,” says Angie. “We’re a community organisation run by volunteers and we just want to say a massive, heartfelt thanks to all our sponsors, including long-standing silver partner Roberts & Morrow, for their unwavering commitment. This support is fundamental to the festival’s sustainability and its ability to deliver a world-class experience that benefits the entire local economy by drawing visitors from across the region.”

With its exciting new format, celebrity creds, and a program bursting with flavour and fun, Nosh Narrabri 2025 is shaping up to be the most ambitious and immersive festival yet. Mark your calendars for a weekend of unforgettable culinary adventure!

Event Details: Nosh Narrabri 2025

• Dates: Friday 29 August – Sunday 31 August 2025.
• Location: Narrabri, NSW. The main festival, workshops and kids’ activities are held at the festival precinct. The Q&A with Gary Mehigan is at The Tourist Hotel, and the Nosh Long Lunch is held on the Narrabri riverbank.
• Events and schedule:
  • Friday 29 August: An Evening with Gary Mehigan Q&A at The Tourist Hotel.
  • Saturday 30 August: Nosh Food and Drink Festival. Features 41 vendors, a cooking demo by Gary Mehigan , the Nosh BBQ Cook-Off All-Stars Edition , a cocktail making competition , ticketed workshops , and the Nosh Kids Zone.
  • Sunday 31 August: The Nosh Long Lunch – Italian Edition.
• Tickets:
  • Main Festival (Saturday): Entry is by $2 at the gate.
  • Workshops, Gary Mehigan Q&A, and Nosh Long Lunch: While the Gary Mehigan Q&A and Nosh Long Lunch have already sold out, you can discover more workshops here.

Website: For all tickets, program updates, and further information, visit the official website.