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Tasmania’s fertile soil, crisp air and paddock-to-plate lifestyle have lured countless big-city chefs from Sydney and Melbourne over the last decade – from Analiese Gregory (Lumachelle) to Rodney Dunn (The Agrarian Kitchen) and Luke Burgess (Scholé).
But long before the Tassie “tree-change” became trendy, there was Matthew Evans. In the late 2000s, the former chef and Sydney Morning Herald restaurant critic traded his knives and notebook for gumboots – moving to a rural 70-acre property in the Huon Valley to raise livestock and learn about regenerative farming. Alongside his partner Sadie Chrestman, Evans documented the creation of Fat Pig Farm on the beloved SBS series Gourmet Farmer – a six-season journey that laid the blueprint for Australia’s farm-to-table movement.
Thousands of food lovers visited Fat Pig Farm for its sought-after paddock-to-plate feasts over the years, until regular dining was put on pause in 2023. But following a quiet winter reopening, the farm is officially welcoming the public back for a fresh lineup of seasonal long lunches, guided farm tours and special events.
So, what’s changed? Fat Pig Farm is still the property viewers fell in love with on Gourmet Farmer – complete with heritage pigs, dairy cows, goats, chooks and bees, alongside a thriving market garden and heritage apple orchard. On select Saturdays, you can join a 60-minute guided tour for a behind-the-scenes look at the property, and learn about the farm's soil regeneration practices and visions for the future. The tour is $30 for adults or free for children under 16.
In even better news, Fat Pig Farm has re-launched its monthly long lunch series – and it’s already shaping up to be the hottest table in Tasmania. Seating around 40 guests, each intimate feast features a seasonal set menu cooked by Evans and served in his cosy dining room. The menu heroes produce picked straight from the market garden and orchard, and pork raised on-site – all paired with local beer, wine and cider.
Long lunches are sold out for the rest of 2026, but keep an eye on Instagram to be the first to know about upcoming 2027 dates. This is definitely a feast worth crossing the country for!