Get Ready to Chow: Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2014
If there’s one thing that Melbournians love, it’s a tasty plate of food and a nice drink to accompany it. Our collective foodie-ness means that the annual Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is a guaranteed hit around town. Today Chisholm and Gamon give you a look at what’s coming up on the menu.
This year’s festival – from the 28th of February until the 16th of March – is celebrating the theme of water. Think seafood - and plenty of it! But also look out for food prepared in a way that utilises water - soaking, dousing and steaming to list a few – and for sustainable uses of water in producing our food.
For a display of aquatic cookery, get ready to be impressed by George Calombaris’ 12 course experimental menu, Water, the Nectar of Life. Each course will be cooked in a different style, including distillation, pressure-cooking and no-water cooking. This is an exclusive experience with limited tickets - and sure to be a night to remember.
If you can’t go past a classic Surf’n’Turf when you’re having dinner at your local, you don’t miss Redefining the Surf and Turf at Steer Bar and Grill in South Yarra. A little update of the typical pub grub, expect fresh beef and seafood with some new twists.
March the second is Clean Up Australia Day, and Sustainable Table and Dumbo Feather are producing a zero-waste lunch at St Kilda’s iconic White House to give diners an idea of sustainable eating. Of all the meat and vegetables used, nothing will go to waste, and everything will come from local farmers. Expect four delicious courses and local wines to match.
Can’t get enough seafood? Head on down to Harvest the Sea and the Vine at Prahran Market for shellfish prepared to make the most of the fresh flavours. If you find yourself finding a new favourite, you’ll know where to pick up the ingredients to make it yourself – all the products will come from the market itself!
Have you ever wanted to experience making your own wine? Rolling up your trousers and stomping on grapes seems to be the ultimate in fun stress relief – and if not, perhaps the wine at the end of your efforts will be! Stomp on over to Epocha in Carlton, to make your wine and enjoy some lunch, and then a follow up dinner when your wine is drinkable!