The date is set for Saturday, September 19 with Italian flavours to pop up at the Gunnedah Kennel Club grounds under the shade of the olive trees.

Gunnedah Shire Council agreed to provide sponsorship of $7000 for the event at last night’s council meeting.

Council has supported Porchetta Day with cash and in-kind support for the past five years.

The festival “marries the rustic delights of Italian cuisine with the excellent agricultural products of the Gunnedah district – pork from local producers; Italian breads made from local durum wheat, regional wines and condiments crafted from boutique cellars and the experience of culturally-enriched Italian music, dining and entertainment”.

Annual Porchetta Day has grown since its inception in 2009, when 1500 visitors decended on the grounds.

Now, the event boasts more than 6000 attendees, making Annual Porchetta Day one of the premier food and wine events in northern NSW.

The organising committee has successfully secured the talents of Australian celebrity chef Tobie Puttock to demonstrate the preparation and cooking of simple Italian foods for the day.

Tobie began his career working in Melbourne’s Caffe e Cucina before travelling to Lake Como in Italy to work at the Hotel Florence.

After years of perfecting his culinary skills and Italian, Tobie travelled to England to work alongside Jamie Oliver.

The committee is giving a chef, sous chef or kitchen hand the opportunity to work alongside Tobie for the day. Visit the Annual Porchetta Day Facebook page for more details.

For additional information, visit www.porchetta.com.au