Top events at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is one of Victoria’s most impressive events. Every year, more than a quarter of a million visitors flick to Melbourne’s restaurants, bars, laneways, and rooftops for 10 days. You can visit award-winning wineries, breweries, have cultural food experiences and taste the delights of innovative, high-profile chefs.

This year’s Melbourne Food and Wine Festival runs from March 16 to 25. There are more than 300 events across Victoria.

Track down a bargain car hire deal from Melbourne Airport and make your way to one of these unforgettable festival events.

10k Gourmet

Enjoy a divine five course meal, comprising of fresh seafood, locally-crafted cheeses and cool climate wines. The Bellarine Peninsla is rich in beauty and just as diverse in the types off food it produces. Sit down for panoramic views and a delicious meal at Jack Rabbit Vineyard. Each bit of food on your plate or drop of wine on your table is sourced within 10 km of the venue.

Cooking for family

Sign up for this hands-on cooking class, which isn’t just for the adults. Kids and teenagers are invited too. The aim is to encourage children to eat healthy and the class demonstrates how fast-cooked home meals can be nutritious and delicious. The class is led by Nellie Kerrison, founder of Relish Mama.

An Ethiopian Banquet

Throw down the knives and forks for this meal, as you don’t need them to experience an Ethiopian buffet the traditional way. Instead you use flat bread to scoop up the different foods. Imagine an exquisite array of spicy meat stews, lentil dishes and home-made honey and barley drinks. Enjoy your feast at a communal table with strangers and forge new relationships with the people sitting beside you.

A historic cocktail journey

Make sure you reserve your spot for this fascinating, elegant event, where you get to explore the innovations of the Dinner by Hestom Blumenthal cocktail list. Treat yourself to a tasting size of different cocktails, each of which has its own historic worth learning about. The infusions are unique, tempting your taste buds like never have before.

BRIANNA PIAZZA