IT’S that time of year again, when the Tastes of the Bay festival hits town.

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The CBD and foreshore will be bustling on 3-5 November, when the festival will take over our taste buds with delectable food and drink, live music to get our toes tapping and events to interest any member of the family.

The Tastes of the Bay festival came from humble beginnings around 2003-4 when Rob Murphy hosted an evening at his restaurant ‘Rob’s on the Boardwalk’.

The event was a resounding success, and Rob passed the running of the event for future years to the Chamber of Commerce to grow it to what it has become today.

This year’s festival is set to be the biggest and best yet, with a wide variety of old faithful attractions, and new additions to be enjoyed by all.

Peter Clough from the Tomaree Business Chamber told News Of The Area, “In Nelson Bay, we are truly in the centre of one of the finest food, wine/beer and leisure destinations you will ever find.”

“While we are now relatively well known out here for these wonderful things, we want to ensure this year’s festival takes the message even further afield.”

“We are so proud of what we have here in Nelson Bay, and we want to share it with the world,” he said.

This year you can get involved in a variety of activities, from cheese making and chocolate tempering, to cake decorating and oyster shucking.

If fine wine is your style, you are invited to attend the Winemaker’s Dinner at the Nelson Bay Golf Club on Friday 3 November for a 6pm arrival.

Tickets are $75 for Golf Club members, and $90 for non-members, which includes four courses and superbly matched wines, as well as talks with Winemakers.

For lovers of jazz, wine and delicious food, the ‘Moonshadow Cruise 4’ Jazz Luncheon Cruise might just suit you.

It will take place on Saturday 4 November at 12 noon, with tickets priced at $79 that includes three courses and jazz entertainment as you cruise around the beautiful waters of Port Stephens.

If you’re a fan of progressive style dinners, the “Taster Trail” is on Saturday 4th November from 4pm until 6.30pm at the festival and will include four local restaurants who will provide a taster plate and beverage, with the trail concluding at the Seabreeze Hotel for a finishing cocktail.

Tickets are $49 and tickets can be booked online on the festival website.

Explore the CBD and foreshore at your leisure, taking in all that is to offer for the whole family, with live music, food stalls, wine tasting, craft beer from Murray’s Brewery, face painting, fresh seafood and live street entertainment.

The full schedule is set to be released online soon, so keep up to date with News Of The Area coverage online and in papers, and purchase your tickets or gather further information on the festival website www.portstephens.org.au/tastes or by calling 49844751.

By Rachael VAUGHAN