With shorter days and colder nights, it’s easy to stay indoors- but in Appleby, a small group of local business owners are turning chilly evenings into a celebration of local food, seasonal produce, and community.
Since 2021, a creative team from Old Factory Corner have hosted ‘Winter Dinner Series’ at The Grape Escape Café—themed dinners that unite the community over local food and shared stories during the colder months.
“When we started the Winter Dinner series, we wanted to get people out and about on a winter’s night and showcase some of our amazing local producers,” explain Grape Escape Café owners Nicki and Brad Deane.
The concept is simple: a three-course menu full of seasonal produce and locally sourced ingredients. Each event comes with a twist—the evening runs with a theme, but the menu is a surprise on the night.
“People love the surprise element,” Nicki explains. “We often come up with an innovative way to showcase a product—it gets people talking and inspires them to try it themselves at home.”
Past themes have included a Greek feast, a royal feast in honor of the King’s Birthday, and a nostalgic 70s-night fondue.
Each event also features a local artisan whose products have been used in the dishes. The producer is invited along to the dinner to speak about their journey, giving diners an insight into the passion behind what ends up on their plates.
“Putting a name and a face to these products creates a real personal connection,” Nicki says.
This connection also highlights eating and buying locally isn’t just good for your health—it’s good for the heart of the community. Every dollar spent locally supports jobs, cuts down on transport, and strengthens the regional economy.
Sue and David Barrett, owners of The Junction Shop, Thorvald and Little River Estate cheeses, are co-hosts of the Winter Dinner series.
“We have so many amazing artisans in the area, understanding where these amazing products & produce come from, brings people together,” Sue says.
Meals are served family-style, with shared plates down the middle of the table, encouraging conversation and laughter.
“When people see products used in a new way, they say, ‘I never thought of using it that way,’” Sue says. “It widens their horizons and gives them a licence to be creative at home.”
At its heart, the Winter Dinner series is about more than just food—it’s about creating a space for people to connect, learn, and celebrate the local abundance.
