Meet the Makers and Say Hi to the Suppliers, it’s official you’re invited to the 2021 Ipswich Region Food and Agribusiness conference bought to you by Queensland Trust For Nature (QTFN).
On Monday 24th May 2021 at Spicer’s Hidden Vale, Grandchester we will be celebrating the diverse food and agribusinesses across the Ipswich, Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley and Somerset Regions with special guest speaker, Celebrity Chef Alastair McLeod.
The 2021 Queensland Trust For Nature Conference will Connect, Inform and Advance food & agri-businesses where you can showcase your food and or agri-business to other industry specific executives and decision makers. With engaging workshops, eye-opening tours, delectable lunch, relaxed networking guests can enjoy learning about the Circular Economy, Biodiversity, Local Buy and Supply and Craft Distilling and Brewing.
Alastair McLeod is a chef, television personality, ambassador, and corporate host with an unbridled enthusiasm for all things food. Bestowed with the gift of the gab and a quick wit, Alastair is a popular master of ceremonies and guest speaker who brings his unique humour and professionalism to any event. Best known from his roles on Channel Seven’s Great Day Out and Network 10’s Ready Steady Cook, Alastair also has a recipe column in the Brisbane News and his Irish brogue is frequently heard on ABC and 4BC radio.
He travels around Australia on a regular basis to host large corporate functions, food shows and outdoor events. Alastair was the national MC for the Good Food and Wine Show for over 10 years and continues to present at many festivals and events around the country, including the Noosa Food and Wine Festival, Bundy Flavours, Regional Flavours and City Good Food Month. Alastair has worked with the Lockyer Valley region for several years and is responsible for hosting media functions, attending regular events and raising awareness for the region dubbed ‘The Salad Bowl of Queensland’.
Alastair’s Instagram account is a testament to the beautiful food he creates, his love of his gorgeous family, and the causes he is passionate about.
The much-loved chef and TV personality has roots deeply entrenched in far north Queensland: his grandfather hailed from Erub Island in the eastern Torres Strait. His mother Faye McLeod was raised on a remote cane farm in the tropics before travelling the world as an accomplished jazz performer and actress. Alastair was born in Belfast, the son of a proud Northern Irish man, and grew up through the height of ‘The Troubles’ conflict in the region.
Being part of such a multicultural family, Alastair was encouraged to experience a large range of cuisines and a career in cooking ensued. His experience in the kitchen is extensive; he has worked at Michelin listed restaurants across the world, such as Roscoff in Belfast, United Kingdom and Da Giovanni in Torino, Italy. He has also worked at La Fregate in Collioure, France, and one of Scotland’s finest restaurants The Ubiquitous Chip in Glasgow. After his classical training in Europe, Alastair decided to follow in the steps of his forefathers and chose Queensland as his home.
His Australian tenures have included roles as executive chef at the Brisbane stalwart Baguette which, under Alastair’s stewardship, won back-to-back Restaurant and Caterer awards and saw the restaurant inducted into the hall of fame. After a lengthy spell at Brett’s Wharf, he established Tank Restaurant and Bar in Brisbane’s CBD that was named in Australia’s hot 50 restaurants two years running, achieved 17/20 in the Courier Mail, 4/5 in The Australian and a coveted chef’s hat. More recently, Alastair launched Al’FreshCo; his own business that provides small- and large-scale catering to private and corporate clients.
We cannot wait to share the day with you, the industry movers and shakers, and Alastair at our very own prestigious Spicers Hidden Vale.
Limited tickets are available for stands and delegates, book yours today to secure your space at this exclusive must attend event.
