The Beekeepers (long) Lunch Experience Spring Edition

Join a local beekeeper and his foodie friends for a locavore long lunch, harvesting honey, learning to sketch, and the pleasures of the table, all in a magnificent setting.Set on the grounds of Retford Park and overlooking a private lake, this exquisite long lunch includes a garden cocktail, hands-on honey harvest, still-life sketching with your pad and pencil, and a four-course lunch paired with local wines—all during spring in the beautiful Southern Highlands.A celebration of spring, creativity and the pleasures of the table with old friends and new.As part of the Southern Highlands’ iconic Tulip Time Festival, this special spring edition of the Beekeepers (long) Lunch invites guests to Bowral Honey Farm—set within the former drawing studio of philanthropist James Fairfax at Retford Park—for a seasonal experience of nature, food and creativity.The wonderful team that will be bringing you this unique event is Alex Doughty from SoHi Spirits. Margueritte Bonwick, artist, who will be leading the still life drawing, Jeff Aston, winemaker from Tractorless Vineyards.Itinerary:

• The day begins with a visit to the hives. Wearing a protective veil, guests will witness the collection of a frame of warm, fragrant spring honey.
• You’ll then help extract the honey using an ancient method—scraping comb, turning the press and watching golden honey flow into the jar.
• While this is happening, our mixologist will create a signature cocktail using the just-pressed honey, and an assistant will begin gently warming the beeswax to create hand-poured candles that will later grace your table.
• The honey cocktails and delicate canapés will be served by the lake before guests are invited to move up to the terrace for the next chapter of the experience.
• Waiting at each place setting will be a pencil and sketch pad. As you settle in, you’ll be guided by a local artist through a moment of mindful creativity—still-life drawing using the cutlery, wine glasses and water jugs in front of you. No pressure, no experience required—just an invitation to slow down and observe the beauty in simple things.
• From there, the event unfolds into a relaxed and elegant four-course lunch, showcasing the best of the season’s regional produce. Each course will be paired with local wines, with an introduction for each.

This is a joyful, sensorial celebration of bees, art, springtime, and the pleasures of the table—an unforgettable afternoon surrounded by flowers, flavour and the warmth of good company.

• Two garden cocktails using fresh honey.
• Hands-on honey harvest.
• Still life sketching with your own pad and pencil.
• A four-course lunch paired with local wines—all during the bloom of Tulip Time.

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