What’s the deal about Melbourne Food and Wine Festival?
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
Melbourne in Australia already has a first class reputation for culinary excellence that’s raised to a new limit.
When the city dedicates ten whole days to some major gastronomical delights, both Australian and International, during the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
In essence, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is a community event which concentrates on bringing people together.
Whether they’re family, friends or strangers, you’ll enjoy some good food and wine in great company. Parties and gatherings take place all over the state of Victoria.
The ones you won’t want to miss will be happening in and around Melbourne itself.
Melbourne Food and Wine 2020 Edition
A Little Ooh La La
French food flair is celebrated in different venues of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival all over the city. In 2020 you can enjoy a 7-course meal at ‘French Flavours’ from the renowned chef and winemaker Simon Steele.
- When: Sunday, 22nd March, 2020
- From: 12:00pm – 4:30pm
- Price: $163
The World’s Longest Lunch
You may think the World’s Longest Lunch is about stretching your midday work break to a new limit. It isn’t. This tradition of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is about how far into the distance the tables will reach.
This year at the Melbourne Bank Longest Lunch, which is being held on the banks of the Maribyrnong River basically because it just won’t fit into any other venue, five hundred metres of table will be set for one thousand and seven hundred guests.
Live music between the courses of Italian, Indian, Cambodian and Vietnamese influenced food will keep everyone entertained while the only concern is – who’s doing the washing up?
If you want a World’s Longest Lunch which might produce some additional unexpected thrills, try the Eynesbury Homestead’s mega spread.
A forty five minute drive from Melbourne centre, the Eynesbury Homestead was once part of a pioneering sheep farming empire and is reputed to be haunted.
You never know, if they take a shine to the menu, there just might be one or two extra ghostly guests for lunch who haven’t been invited.
- When: Friday 20th March, 2020
- From: 12:00pm – 3:00pm
- Price: $185
Japanese vs Mexican Cuisine
Two different cuisines decided to collaborate (for our delight) in Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2020, Mexican and Japanese. All the famous flavours of both kitchens with a tasty twist on them is something no one should miss out.
- When: Thursday 19th and Thursday 26th March, 2020
- From: 5:00pm – 11:00pm
- Price: $63-$78
A Blind Food Experience
Have you ever had a meal blindfolded? You can experience a five-course Italian meal where you will be required to put a blindfold for one of the courses. The meals are prepared from the famous chef Joseph Vargetto with wine or a cocktail.
- When: Tuesday 24th March – Wednesday 25th March, 2020
- From: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
- Price: $103
Organic Market
Any dish is only as good as the ingredients which go into it. Get closer to Mother Nature during an exploratory tour of the organic section of Queen Victoria Market.
You’ll begin to get an understanding of how holistic agricultural methods enhance the quality of produce. Be enthused by the enormous range of biodynamic and wild ingredients available.
Then go home with a goody bag full of treats to create a special dish in your own kitchen.
Italian Dishes For All
Life just wouldn’t be the same without Italian food.
Probably one of the best kitchens in the world, the Italian cuisine has a presence in nearly all the 11 days of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. You can learn how to make Cannoli the Sicilian way and find out how to make the pasta the traditional way. You can also enjoy other Italian meals from the many events offered.
Bargain Eats
If you’re on a budget but still want be part of Melbourne’s Food and Wine Festival celebration there are some amazing events with no entry charge.
For a family fun time, try The Big Spaghetti at Queen Victoria Market, from 11:00am – 7:00pm.
It’s a community gathering where everyone is welcome to dive into the free food and wine while they browse the stalls of organic produce from local farmers, listen to the live music and admire the art exhibitions.
There’s also another great non-ticket event, the Pontoon Beach Club at Fatto.
On the first day of the food and wine festival (Thursday 19th March), you can relax at midday while you’re soaking up the Melbourne sun on the beach side. There’s also a late night menu with a dance party.
So Why Melbourne Food and Wine Festival?
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is a ten day celebration of food in all its glorious aspects.
Everything from the humblest tomato to the most sophisticated and organically grown produce, plus African, Asian, Italian and many more cooking techniques, are all honored in various events around the city giving the festival a recipe for success.
Recommendations for the Event