Melbourne Food And Wine Festival Bound For The Regions

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos today joined Food and Drink Victoria CEO Anthea Loucas Bosha to unveil the program and encourage Victorian and interstate tourists to get along to the festival.

The Regional Edition kicks off with The Village Feast in Thorpdale transforming the small Gippsland town into a weekend-long celebration of Gippsland produce and Victorian chefs.

The Village Feast includes pop up food stalls, a five course lunch cooked over campfire from Farmer’s Daughters chef Alejandro Saravia, a celebration of Gippsland’s rich dairy history, pub favourites at the Travellers Rest Hotel, and entertainment on the main stage curated by Always Live.

One of the Festival’s much-loved traditions, Crawl and Bite, will take small groups of diners on progressive dinners through venues in Victoria’s High Country towns including Alexandra, Bright, Beechworth, Milawa, Mansfield and Rutherglen.

Festival goers will have the opportunity to dine in reimagined settings and historical buildings as part of Ballarat Unlocked, featuring some of the region’s best chefs in a unique program of dinners.

The Signature Escapes series features six of Victoria’s finest dining and accommodation establishments partnering with outstanding producers to host unique experiences that showcase the state, including Lake House, Jackalope and Royal Mail.

The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival has been a mainstay of Melbourne’s major events calendar for three decades, contributing to Victoria’s reputation as Australia’s premier food and wine destination.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos

“We’re backing Melbourne’s most celebrated culinary event to bring the fun regional, drawing thousands more visitors to destinations across the state to indulge in some of the best dining and drinking Victoria has to offer.”

“Victoria is well known as Australia’s ultimate dining destination, now the regions that grow and create some of the most coveted produce in the world will be showcased alongside some of the best culinary talent.”

Quotes attributable to Food and Drink Victoria CEO Anthea Loucas Bosha

“We’re thrilled to be back in regional Victoria as we continue to celebrate 30 years of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.”

“This program highlights the extraordinary food and drink experiences that make Victoria the best place in the world to eat and drink. Let’s hit the road.”