WIN a Taste of Victoria Mixed Dozen
In celebration of Melbourne Food & Wine Festival presented by Bank of Melbourne the winemakers from T’Gallant, Seppelt and Coldstream Hills have handpicked wines from six of Victoria’s most renowned wineries to create the Taste of Victoria Mixed Dozen.
For your chance to win one of 2 packs of Taste of Victoria Mixed Dozen (valued at $287), check MFWF’s Acqua Panna Global Wine Experience sessions then name two of the presenters taking part in any of the four sessions to be eligible to win.
Email info@dailyaddict.com.au your answer, contact number and address by 7/3/13. Entrants must be 18 years or older.
17 days, three weekends and over 200 events. No matter the size of your stomach, eyes or appetite for artisan produce, that’s a lot to forage through. Here are our picks for the best of Melbourne Food & Wine Festival: Gumboots optional, wits required.
Earth and Beyond
Earth MasterClass
Dig up more than you can chew at an excusive day-to-night celebration of all things earth. Guided by an all-star culinary cast including Aunty Carolyn Briggs, Italy’s Massimo Spigaroli and Ontario chef/farmer Michael Stadtländer, you’ll forage through traditional hangis, vege gardens, bush lands and sizzling Hawaiian imus for six community-inspired banquets matched with fine wines and earth-inspired cocktails. Earth Masterclass, Friday 8 March, CERES Environment Park, $435 includes six educational sessions, tastings and refreshments throughout the afternoon, dinner with matched beverages and a gift bag with a copy of the Earth MasterClass recipe book.
Theatre of Ideas
Feed your mind and nourish your imagination with culinary visionaries Matthew Evans, Magnus Nilsson and Michael Städtlander. Tackling the million-dollar question of how we’ll feed ourselves in the decades to come, these three sagacious farm boys will each present their own take on preserving the earth and its bounty. You’ll never tackle the supermarket the same way again. Theatre of Ideas, Sunday 10 March, Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, $65.
On the Ground
Go alfresco sans grass stains at this earth-inspired tabletop picnic in the beautiful Rialto Forecourt. Rialto Precinct’s finest chefs, Shannon Bennett (Vue de Monde), Raymond Capaldi (Hare and Grace) and Guy Grossi (Merchant Osteria Veneta), are joining forces to create a long table lunch in celebration of local organic, foraged and earth-grown produce. On the Ground, Thursday 14 March, Rialto Forecourt, $120 includes three courses with wine.
Fishy
A ‘Hard Shell to Shuck’ Party
Get royally shucked Sicilian style over 3.5 hours of non-stop drinks, crab-claw-crunch, oyster frenzy and mussel mania. Chef Joseph Vargetto (Mister Bianco) is upping the ante of his infamous oyster parties with Roederer Champagne plus Yabby Lake and Red Claw wines for this sandy celebration of the earth’s incredible bounty. Kick off your shoes and get involved. A ‘Hard Shell to Shuck’ Party, Saturday 2 March, Mister Bianco, $135 includes food, wine and champagne.
Rock Lobster – Lorne Style
Escape the city for an elegant seaside feast beachside. Gorge on three decadent courses of fresh-caught lobster, Zeally Bay sourdough and a delicate berry dessert, whipped up by Carter & Co and served with a glass of Blakes Estate Blanc de Noir. It’s road trip fare, but not as you know it. Rock Lobster – Lorne Style, Saturday 16 March, Lorne Aquatic & Anglers Club, $95 includes a glass of sparkling on arrival and three-course lunch.
Arty
Dining With Art
Eating in the art gallery normally gets you disapproving scowls, but not when you’re with Merricote’s Rob Kabbord. This unique fusion of art, fundraising and dining lets you feast on an earthy, seasonal menu and sip Carlei Wine amongst food-inspired art — namely an exclusive preview of the exhibition ‘At the Table’. Dining With Art, Thursday 14 March, Arts Project Australia, $250 includes canapés, four courses, matched wines and tax-deductible donation.
Cheese, Wine, Objects
Presentation is always important, and when it comes to cheese platters it’s critical. Passionate cheese fiend Tom Merkli (The Red Cow) will take you on a journey to uncover the world of artisan Swiss cheeses hand-picked and matured by Switzerland’s Pope of Cheese (yep, that’s a real title), with each matched to Montalto wines plus beer, cider, local artisan breads and condiments. Further, each is showcased on stunning Victorian clay objects handcrafted by the talented Shelley Panton. Cheese, Wine, Objects, Wednesday 6 March, Shelley Panton’s Studio & Store, $75 includes cheese and beverage tastings.
Beefy
Teage & Scott’s Wagyu Feast
Marvel at the marbling of this iron-rich meat feast served with equally beefy wines. Chefs and wagyu masters Teage Ezard (ezard) and Scott Pickett (The Estelle) will be flexing their creative muscles with Victorian producer Sher Wagyu, creating a five-course wagyu degustation with complementary plonk from the surrounding Ballan region. Teage & Scott’s Wagyu Feast, Tuesday 5 March, ezard, $185 five-course degustation with matched wine.
The Chef and the Butcher
Learn the ropes of making that most lavish yet relaxing of meals: A sizzling Sunday lunch with a salt-bush lamb as the centrepiece. Executive chef John Lawson will be joined by his butcher, Felice Marandola, for a MasterClass celebrating local produce and communal feasting. Finish it off with an opulent Apple tarte tartin. The Chef and the Butcher, Saturday 9 March, Mr. Hive Kitchen and Bar, $150 includes three courses with wine.
Global
Thai Jungle Curry Cooking Class
Put down the pad see ew, roll up your sleeves for an intimate MasterClass preparing a traditional northern Thai jungle curry. With heavy carbs or coconut to weaken the kick, this is a fiery, fishy, hands-on feast tempered only by a few Gingerboy street food sides and a cheeky glass or two of matched wine. Thai Jungle Curry Cooking Class, Saturday 2 March – Saturday 9 March, Gingerboy, $235 includes cooking class, lunch, Gingerboy apron and recipe booklet.
Samurai and Sake
Indulge in a little bending of conduct as skilled samurai prepare the freshest local sashimi by your tableside and sushi chefs break moral code to share some of their age-old practices. Jerry Thomas’ original 1862 Japanese cocktail, created for the samurai who staffed the first Japanese embassy in NYC, should get your journey started on the right footing. Samurai and Sake, Wednesday 6 March, Saké Restaurant & Bar, $295 includes eight courses with eight matched sakes/cocktails.
With a Twist
Lights Out
Most people couldn’t live without a microwave, let alone a fridge, a freezer or lights. Light the candles and go electricity-free at this eco-friendly Spanish feast featuring traditional courses cooked, prepared and served with the techniques of years gone by. Head chef Josep Espuga will emerge from the kitchen to engage with guests and explain his food and techniques. Lights Out, Tuesday 5 March – Tuesday 12 March, Bohemian Restaurant & Bar, $85 includes five courses with wine.
Forage & Feast
The best way to make sure your produce is fresh? Fetch it yourself! BYO gumboots and frolic through the forest with chef Shaun Sheridan to forage for your dinner, then head back to Lamaro’s for a five-course feast starring your spoils from the day and served with the Peninsula’s stellar Kooyong Wines. Forage & Feast, Saturday 9 March, Lamaro’s Bar Dining Room, $160 includes foraging, transport and five-course degustation dinner.
Lunch on the Boundary
More than your average midday suit-fest, this business lunch with a difference will see you dining on the boundary line turf of Etihad Stadium. With a menu personally designed by Shannon Bennett (Vue de monde), premium Wolf Blass wines and a key-note speaker, this is networking at its most appetising. Lunch on the Boundary, Thursday 14 March, Etihad Stadium, $195 includes 2-course lunch and matching wines.
Sweet
Alistair Wise
Inject a little nostalgia into your afternoon tea at Aria. Sweet Envy’s Alistair Wise will be adding his whimsical touch to Aria’s indulgent afternoon tea with old-time sweets and confections evoking memories of childhood. Alistair Wise, Monday 4 March – Friday 15 March, Aria Bar & Lounge, $59.
Chocolate Wonderland
Stroll through a tropical garden of single origin edible artwork dedicated to the journey of the cacao bean. Indulge your senses in the delicate creations, sip champagne on arrival and sample from tasting stations set up within the forest. Chocolate Wonderland, Friday 8 March, Flower Temple, $80 includes champagne on arrival and six chocolate tasting stations.
Melbourne Food & Wine Festival 1 – 14 March 2013
