Ulrike Currie and members of the Baddaginnie Community Inc Committee have once again gathered an impressive list of stallholders to share their wares with visitors and locals alike.
“This year we have some familiar faces returning, like Pavlos Catering and Bailey’s of Glenrowan,” Ulrike said.
“And we are thrilled to welcome some new businesses too.”
Twelve businesses, all hailing from North East Victoria, will be participating in the event this year
Baileys of Glenrowan, Brezel Mädle, Emme Mac Black Coffee, Everlasting Floral Studio, John Gehrig Wines, Little Cedar Farmhouse Goat Cheese, Pavlos Catering, Pedal Slowly Brewhouse, Saffron Gramophone, Samaria Rose Farm, Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program Benalla P-12 College and Swiftcrest Distillery.
Emma Mac Black Coffee is a family owned and operated speciality coffee brand based in Molyullah.
The business will be one of the new faces at this year’s event, with husband and wife team Angus and Bec MacDougall bringing a considered range of their premium coffee tasting kits, beans and coffee accessories for locals to explore and purchase to enjoy at home.
“Coffee is one of the few rituals that consistently anchors the day, and we are passionate about creating something that honours that moment, thoughtfully sourced, well made and worth slowing down for,” Bec said.
“Events like Sip, Savour and Socialise create space to connect, discover and support local producers. It is a great opportunity to share what we do, meet people face to face and be part of something that celebrates the region as a whole.”
Other new faces include Pedal Slowly Brewhouse, which is based in Wangaratta, Benalla local Mark Foletta’s Saffron Gramophone Wines and Mansfield’s boutique spirits maker, Swiftcrest Distillery.
Among the many returning businesses, including John Gehrig Wines and Samaria Rose Farm, is Leonie Lutz’s Brezel Madle.
Leonie launched her range of German bread and pretzels at the Mansfield Markets in 2023.
She makes everything she sells herself and will have a range of soft pretzels, German cakes, muffins and cinnamon scrolls available for people to sample and purchase on the night.
“Sip, Savour and Socialise is all about the diversity of good food and drinks this region has to offer,” she said.
“I started Brezel Madle to make people happy, but it’s also to make myself happy, to be honest, because I simply missed the bread from home.
“Seeing the smiling faces of the people in town when they bite into a pretzel — it makes the hard work worthwhile.”
The event is scheduled for the Friday before Mother’s Day, and according to organiser Ulrike, that’s no accident.
“Last year we had a couple of hundred people come through, and I know there were plenty of people who were buying a last-minute gift for their mum,” she said.
“This year we would love to see even more people from all the local towns in the area bring their friends and families along to experience all the amazing produce and lovely things that our wonderful region has to offer.”
Baddaginnie’s Sip, Savour and Socialise is funded by Benalla’s Social Inclusion Action Group and supported by Benalla Rural City Council and the Victoria Government.
Sip, Savour and Socialise will be held at the Baddaginnie Jubilee Hall, 63 Palmerston St, Baddaginnie on Friday, May 8 from 5pm to 8pm.
Entry to the event is free, but people are encouraged to make a gold coin donation for the chance to win some great prizes.
Stallholders will have goods available for purchase on the night.