The dinner is a highlight of Orange FOOD Week and in only its third year it has developed into one of the most successful events on the regional calendar.

Long communal tables overhung with colourful lanterns were set for 340 guests, running the length of Canowindra’s historic crooked main street.

The event has become so popular that tickets sold within 30 hours this year, with diners coming from as far as Northern NSW and Victoria to take part.

Chefs representing Mudgee, Bathurst, Orange, Cowra and Canowindra – all within a one hundred mile radius of Orange - each prepared an entrée and main using the finest local ingredients.

This year, Cowra was well represented by Richard and Joanne from the Lachlan Valley Hotel’s Dek Restaurant who presented an entrée of caramelised pumpkin, broccoli and Trunkey Creek pancetta tart with a smudge of La Barre blood plum vinegar, followed by fillet of beef with butter corn, nashi pear jam, confit tomato served with Mulyan Shiraz jus.

The Canowindra team whipped up a memorable dessert of organic honey pannacotta served with organic poached figs and hazelnut bread.

A range of Cowra and Canowindra wines were also represented.

The 100 Mile Diet concept has grown into a global movement increasing consumer awareness about food miles, carbon footprints, how far food travels from paddock to plate and supporting local farmers and regional economies.

“We do it because we love this town and we want to showcase the region’s incredible produce and talented chefs and cooks to the rest of the country,” Canowindra@home committee member and cook Trudi Weyman said.

“It’s fantastic to be able to work with our neighbouring regions – everyone really pulls together and the result is an event like no other.”

This year, F.O.O.D. (Food of the Orange District) is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

The 100 Mile Dinner will feature again next April in the 2012 FOOD Week calendar of events.

Tickets will go on sale in early March 2012. www.orangefoodweek.com.au.