Tables were laden with it, blankets were covered with it, mouths were stuffed with it.
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They came through the main gates laden with it in eskies with wheels, surely one of the great inventions of the modern world.
Seafood was slow this year but sandwiches were in - big ones, little ones, and jumbo baguettes.
"You've got to keep the men happy," said Liz Dixon, of Relbia. "They don't like too much fiddly stuff." That may account for why so many platters of fiddly stuff were left over, sealed under plastic wrap, at the end of the day.
Pates, dips and terrines jostled with vases of purple gladioli. Oysters and prawns vied with chicken legs and tiny pastries.
And paradoxically, cherry tomatoes were very big.
Corporate marquees bulged with the cream of local business.
The Jacksons Motor Company hosted 260 guests.
The hats (most of them) and the suit jackets came off as patrons plunged into smoked salmon and avocado, hot roast meats, cold poached salmon, marinated prawns and fresh oysters.
Down in the Leger tents, white linen-clad tables were laid with grapes, strawberries and lots of fiddly stuff.
Some of the silver champagne buckets were bigger than the hats. One patron asked if it was possible to eat and drink as much as she wanted and still lose weight.
Maree and Gerald Gee and friends have been on their same site for 27 years.
The table had cream roses and plates of chicken wraps, salmon pinwheels and sandwiches. "We're racing people. We love the races and the whole thing," Mrs Gee said.
Car park picnickers Shelley Rodman and her friends were enjoying punch, white- chocolate-coated strawberries and a tiered platter of dainty cakes. "The punch doesn't have as much punch this year," Shelley said sadly.
The spread, prepared by Shelley, is laid on for their staff at Launceston Kitchen Centre.
"I love the Cup. I love watching the people and the fashions. I believe there are horses here too," she said.
But - food at last! - she offered me a white-chocolate- coated strawberry.
At the downmarket end, the hot chips, chicken nuggets, baked potatoes and dim sims were disappearing fast.
First past the post food-wise was Launceston pharmacist Susie Fisher. Taking pride of place on her table were two massive crayfish heads, and beside them a bucket of crayfish meat.
Susie's husband, Geoff Daw caught the crays at a "secret location" on the East Coast.
Finally , it came down to which hurt most - my feet or my hunger pangs.
On the way out the gate, I managed to grab a bucket of chips - the best food I tasted all day (except for the strawberry).
