This year’s Twilight Food Affair – the college’s flagship event – exceeded all expectations with a crowd of 5,000+ people.

The event made its post-COVID comeback on Friday 24 March 2023 and showcased some of the best food and wine from the Fleurieu region while providing the whole community with a stand-out evening of family fun before the close of Daylight Saving and the onset of winter.

“This year’s Twilight Food Affair was extra special because it was the first major opportunity our college community had been given to reconnect in a public way,” said Acting Principal, Ali Thacker.

“The event was all about celebrating community and the important role of togetherness in the lives of our children.

“Given that Twilight had to be on hold for three years due to statewide social distancing restrictions, we were absolutely delighted to be able to bring back our favourite night of the year for our families and the people of McLaren Vale and beyond,” Ms Thacker said.

This year there was a nine-minute fireworks display by SA Fireworks – the longest and biggest the college has ever hosted – which ranked as the number one highlight of the whole evening among Twilight-goers.

The food line-up included native bush burgers from Meez On Plus, wood-fired pizza from Van Coota, Argentinian grilled chicken from Chimichurri Grill, delicious Mexican fare from El Guaco Taco, authentic Sicilian cuisine from Santopalato and the very best paella from the community’s crowd favourite, Carlito's Paella. 

Throughout the evening guests were also able to choose from a range of additional tasty treats including homemade kransky dogs; Vietnamese street food; crispy spinning spuds; milkshakes made with fresh milk from the Fleurieu Milk Company; Golden North ice-cream; hot cinnamon donuts; homemade gourmet desserts; and the ultimate sweet and sticky indulgence, fairy floss.

Grown-ups enjoyed the event’s pop-up bar which served a stellar range of wines and beers that were been generously donated by McLaren Vale’s most beloved cellar doors and breweries.

“We began this event 18 years ago, and it has simply grown from strength to strength,” said Ms Thacker.

“One of the best things about the Twilight Food Affair is that our entire food and wine offering is always local, enabling us to support local businesses and maintain the authenticity of a legacy Tatachilla event born on college soil.

“Our stunning college grounds provided the ideal landscape for relaxing with friends and making new memories in the heart of vineyard country.”

What our Twilight-goers said:

“What a night...was so great to see so many people support a great community event. Personally a BIG CHEERS to the event organisers and staff of the college who volunteered their time and put in a BIG day. Your efforts didn't go unnoticed.”

“Absolutely phenomenal! I couldn't believe the crowd already there at 5:30pm!”

“We greatly enjoyed our first Twilight. It is really wonderful to be able to go to something where our teenage children can spend the whole evening safely with their friends and we just met up after the fireworks display to walk to the car. A really great family night that all four of us enjoyed. We look forward to next year.”

“It was an absolutely amazing night as always, so glad its back on. Thank you.”

“This was a triumph, a fantastic community event. A real credit to the organisers and to all the staff who pitched in to help on the night. I am sad for all the people who couldn’t be there and who missed out on such a community-building, fun family night. The fireworks were amazing too!!”

“I think it’s fantastic that Twilight had such a great turn out… we feel very lucky to have an event that supports local businesses and has such a beautiful fireworks display at our children’s school and is so close to home.”

“The atmosphere was wonderful. The kids loved the freedom and safety of being with their friends at the school.”

“Well done to all who made it happen, a huge event after a long hiatus. Looking forward to the next one.”