Food & Wine Festival Melbourne

4. The two-day Langham Melbourne MasterClass, which showcases the world’s most exciting culinary and winemaking talent, is a hallmark of the festival. At The Langham Melbourne, a luxury hotel at Southbank, visitors learn from the world’s best chefs in intimate classes and taste their signature dishes. Past taste sensations have included pure plankton rice from Aponiente’s Juan Luis Fernández (Spain), veal smoked in Chilean tepú wood from Boragó’s Rodolfo Guzmán, and cod acorn truffle celery from The Restaurant at Meadowood’s Christopher Kostow (Napa Valley).

5. With many mouth-watering regional events in the festival program, city slickers are encouraged to take a food and wine mini-breaks in the countryside. Some of the state’s most breathtaking locations have hosted Regional World’s Longest Lunches, including among the vines in the Mornington Peninsula and overlooking ocean vistas in Gippsland.

6. The festival is renowned for offering food and wine experiences you can’t do at any other time of the year. Learn secret recipes and techniques from artisan producers; dine in undiscovered city locations, from laneways to rooftops; see the best of Melbourne’s food, art and music collide at one-off cultural events; and much more.

7. March signals vintage in Victoria with winemakers across the state picking and processing their precious grapes. The Festival takes wine lovers along for the ride with behind the scenes vineyard tours and special lunches and dinners among the ageing barrels. Back in the city, take part in inspiring tastings guided by leading wine authorities at Acqua Panna Global Wine Experience.

8. Cult-favourite Crawl ‘n’ Bite takes guests on a guided tour through laneways and hidden doorways to a succession of three of the city’s hottest restaurants to enjoy a signature small plate and a cleverly matched drink. MoVida Next Door, Mamasita, Tonka and Izakaya Den have all played host to this popular event.

9. There’s something for foodies of all ages at the Festival. Families with mini budding chefs in tow can join free cooking classes at Little Foodies Corner to learn everything from pizza-making to sushi-rolling.