Food lovers, growers and producers were united at the Civic Theatre to welcome a jam-packed month of delicious food, sultry wine and memorable food experiences.

Eat Local Thursday creator and member of the Taste Riverina committee, Pennie Scott, was the brains behind the Cirque du Soleil themed theatrical element of the evening.

"I wanted to invoke, provoke and evoke and that's the motto of Cirque du Soleil," she said.

Dressed in a fitted black sparkling dress, with a peacock feather headpiece and dramatic green eye make-up Ms Scott epitomised drama.

"There are so many food and wine festivals so we wanted a point of difference," she said, adding that food, like theatre, evoked emotion and passion.

"Theatre is fun and it brings colour," she said.

Festival co-ordinator Jacqui Hermann invited people across the region to celebrate the divese range of food and drink available in the Riverina.

"Taste Riverina is a wonderful showcase of what the Riverina has to offer, and as events are held throughout the region, night and day, there's something for everyone to get along to," Mrs Hermann said.

The month-long event dedicated to food promises to deliver a wide variety of activites including those for coffee lovers, wine conossieurs and high-tea devotees.

"Taste Riverina really captures everything the local area can provide and showcases the local produce," she said.

"We encourage everyone to invite family and friends," she said.

Kyeamba Valley wine producers, Lyn and Francois Retief of Retief Organic Wines are participating in the event for the first time.

Specialising in Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon wine, they also produce and sell organic beef.

Mrs Retief said it was wonderful to be involved in an event that acknowledged the quality produce in the region.

"We're keen to promote the district and we've been involved in Eat Local Thursday," Mrs Retief said.

"The opportunity for like-minded people to come together and celebrate produce is great."

The month-long events schedule can be seen at http://www.tasteriverina.com.au.