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Ela's guide to the Food & Wine Fest

Posted by: Ela Carte | 13 February, 2012 - 12:27 PM

Ela’s Fest Faves

You must be doing something right to get to TWENTY years running a major festival, and still break ticket sales records almost each and every year.

The 20^th Annual Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is fast approaching, and if you don’t have any tickets yet, chances are you’ll be scrambling to find out which events still have availability. So … I’ve done it for you! Below are some of the fabulous events that still have tickets left … start booking!

One off lunches and dinners:

Greenhouse by Joost

I mentioned the Greenhouse by Joost in Morsels last week, eco-friendly and delicious … what more could you ask for? Well, how about the Greenhouse hosting some of the best chefs from around Victoria AND the world?

http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=19444

The Winner Dinner – Pope Joan

It doesn’t get more local, Pope Joan chef Matt Wilkinson is creating a menu that will specifically showcase the Victorian produce and wine winners from the Royal Melbourne Fine Food Awards. I’ve seen this man flirt with the ladies from the CWA, he takes this Royal Show stuff very seriously!

http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/event/2525

Californication – The Newmarket Hotel

One of 2011’s “it” eateries, the Newmarket does Latin street food and does it well. This event will be more of a fiesta, with a smorgasboard of Latin goodies, a whole suckling pig, and more tequila that you should rightfully consider imbibing.

http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/event/2442

Labour Day Long Lunch, Estelle Bar & Kitchen

A quiet achiever, the Estelle provided me with one of my favourite eating experiences of last year. So a suckling pig rotisserie and boutique beer lunch with the likes of Scott Picket and Ryan Flaherty on a long weekend sounds like a fine option to me.

http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/event/2870

Biting Through Time, huxtable:

Purely for the fun of it, I love the theme of Huxtable’s event – “Biting through Time”. Chef Daniel Wilson’s menu will play on trends from the festivals 20 year history – expect some very creative twists on otherwise clichéd memorable classics.

http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/event/2466

Vine and Tide, Saint Peters Restaurant:

For something a little more spiritual, join Seafood king Maurice Esposito and the team behind Jaspar Hill Wines for an edible exploration of the lunar cycle and its influence on produce from the sea and vines.

http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/event/2496

Regional events

Not to be outdone, Victoria’s regions are offering an absolute bounty of events – no better excuse to get out of town and experience the best that country Victoria has to offer.

Are you game for a wild lunch?, High Country:

Is there a better name for a wine label than “Ladies who Shoot their Lunch”? With a dress theme of ‘a touch of tweed’, guests will be whisked from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station by train to the Strathbogie Ranges where the Plunkett Fowles wines will be matched to game and great local produce. This event really does sound like a whole lot of fun – think live music, auctions, games and fine, fine food and wines.

http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/event/2451

A Taste of Place, Grampians:

A tour with the Royal Mail Hotel’s Dan Hunter visiting his favourite producers, then a lunch tasting their wares? Yes, please!

http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/event/2663

Festa Della Vendemmia, The Murray:

Slow Food Mildura has planned a dinner under the vines to celebrate the grape harvest, with contributions from local restaurants like Seasons Restaurant and the new Spanish Bar and Grill.

http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/event/2998

A Taste of Castlemaine Lunch, Goldfields:

Surprises are bound to be in store with a circular eight course lunch from local institutions The Good Table and the Public Inn. Local produce of course, it’s terrific value at $150 including wine.

http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/event/2728

3AW Food - Eating Melbourne

3AW is Food: Melburnians love to eat so it's fortunate we live in the culinary capital of Australia. On this dedicated food page you will find the latest recipes by Bob Hart as well as Tony Leonard's Pub of the Week reviews. La Luna head chef Adrian Richardson also serves up a dish from his own cook book and food reviewer Ela Carte visits one of Melbourne's hottest eateries weekly