Culinary master Mark Best will team up with treasured Barossa cook Maggie Beer this year to host one of the most exciting gourmet adventures on the Australian calendar, the 2014 KI Food Safari at Southern Ocean Lodge.

The hands-on feast among the celebrated producers of Kangaroo Island has been extended this year to seven nights from August 2 to 9, allowing a full week among the paddocks, vines, stockyards and oyster beds.

First mounted in 2011, the KI Food Safari has fast become an institution among lovers of the carefully grown produce and rich seafood of Kangaroo Island.  It combines the elegant cliff-top luxury of Southern Ocean Lodge with daily expeditions among the producers who have helped forge the island's reputation for high-quality food and sustainable practices.

Highlights of the itinerary include the fine cheeses and yoghurts of Island Pure Sheep Dairy, a visit to the green pastures of Southrock Lamb and a stroll through the shady groves of KI Olive Oil. Guests might pluck marron and abalone from the farm, savour pure Ligurian honey straight from the hive and shuck oysters fresh from the leases at American River. 

This year's extended itinerary will also include a visit to the Penneshaw farmers' markets, allowing guests to discover small local growers and their produce. 

In between, guests will be able to eat, drink and rub shoulders with their hosts at winery lunches, cooking demonstrations, barbecues and sunset drinks. Each night will involve a celebration of the day's harvest with a spectacular menu served around the table at Southern Ocean Lodge.

As a founding host of the KI Food Safari, Maggie Beer will lend her warmth and passion for local produce to each day's events.  She will be joined by Mark Best for the first time, bringing insight from his kitchens at Sydney's acclaimed Marque restaurant, a regular on the San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants list.

The KI Food Safari will be held from August 2 to 9, 2014, with places strictly limited. It is priced from $7,350 per person twin share including seven nights at Southern Ocean Lodge, return flights between Adelaide and Kangaroo Island, a daily itinerary of excursions, produce tastings and demonstrations, all dining and premium beverages.

For full details contact Baillie Lodges on 02 9918 4355 or reserve@baillielodges.com.au.  See also www.southernoceanlodge.com.au 

Editors' Notes: Baillie Lodges is a collection of intimate luxury lodges in unique Australian destinations.  Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island launched the portfolio and continues to capture guests in its magic. Southern Ocean Lodge is Australia's most extraordinary luxury lodge offering a premium nature-based escape. Longitude 131° is a gathering of luxury tented pavilions overlooking fabled icon Uluru, delivering a journey to Australia's spiritual heart. The Baillie Lodges properties are honoured as founding members of Luxury Lodges of Australia.

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