“I’m really thrilled to be invited because I love Narooma and I love the Oyster Festival,” she said.

“I reckon Wagonga Inlet oysters are the best you can get!”

Julie and her family are part-time Dalmeny residents and have been enjoying the Oyster Festival since before she was on MasterChef.

“The festival has such a beautiful community feel about it,” she said.

“It’s always really exciting with terrific food, lots of fantastic cooking demonstrations, beautiful art works and lots of wonderful people who also enjoy these things.”

Julie has compered previous cooking demonstrations at the festival and is a natural.

“I love talking to people while they’re cooking or while I’m cooking, and every time I cook with somebody new I learn something,” she said.

“I’m genuinely interested in people and what they’re doing.” 

Her family also loves the festival.

“The boys are given their pocket money and they go around, eat themselves silly and have a ball,” she said.

Narooma Oyster Festival celebrates Wagonga Inlet oysters and those from surrounding estuaries, local produce and the region’s culinary and artistic talents in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable.

The festival will have very different programs on each of the two days next year.

Saturday’s “Naturally Gourmet” program on the festival site beside Wagonga Inlet will include cooking demonstrations, the popular Ultimate Oyster Experience, local food and craft stalls, great music, exhibitions by local artists, sand modeling workshops and other family activities.

Sunday’s “Narooma on Show” program will see the festival move around the town and surrounding areas to showcase their considerable attractions.

Check the webpage for updateswww.naroomaoysterfestival.com