Month: May 2018

National Soup Day at Fed Square 2018

To celebrate National Soup Day, Youth Projects and Heinz are helping Melburnians beat the chill this winter and serving glorious, hearty soups from a retro-style food truck for only $2.50, with 100% of all proceeds going to charity.  On the eve of winter, a particularly difficult time for people experiencing homelessness, Youth Projects sought to partner with Heinz to help raise funds and continue providing much needed support for those who are doing it tough this winter.  Dreading the freezing commute home? Fear not we haven’t forgotten about you! Giant Heinz beans and soup heaters will be stationed near key public transport locations, offering much-needed warmth and deliciously hot soup samples.  Everyone is encouraged to come and support Youth Projects’ great work by enjoying some of Australia’s favourite soup this winter. For more information on Youth Projects or to make a donation visit http://www.youthprojects.org.au.  When: Thursday 31 May, Thursday 7 June, Friday 8 June and Wednesday 13 June When: 12pm – 2pm Where: Federation Square More information: Youth Project | Heinz Company

Arbory Roast Collection 2018

Arbory Bar & Eatery’s Roast Collection returns to keep guests warm over winter partnering with Meatsmith and award winning sommelier Raul Moreno Yagüe. There’s no room for the winter blues at Arbory Bar & Eatery with the popular ‘Roast Collection’ dinners back on deck to keep guests warm throughout the whole of winter. Arbory Bar & Eatery’s Executive Chef Nick Bennett has teamed up with Sommelier Raul Moreno Yagüe (2017 Good Food Sommelier of the Year) and cult butcher Troy Wheeler from Meatsmith to offer premium cuts of roasted artisan proteins alongside a glass of perfectly paired wine for $25.00 per person, for lunch and dinner throughout the three months of winter. Each month heroes a new beast, and each week will champion a different cut and dish as created by Bennett and his team. For June the offering is pork paired with the 2015 Norton ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir from Richmond, Tasmania, in July they will be dishing up beef, paired with the 2016 Palmetto Shiraz from Barossa Valley, and lamb will be featured in August, providing guests …

Mabo Day Celebration

Join with the Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal communities in Victoria to celebrate one of the most significant dates on the Indigenous calendar, Mabo Day on Sunday 3 June 2018, Deakin Edge, Federation Square. Hosted by the multi-talented Lisa Maza (of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage), this free family friendly concert will feature performances by the acclaimed Torres Strait Islander dance troupe Gerib Sik, as well as live music from Luke Captain and Monica Weightman, together in their unique blend of song, and the Black Sistaz. Bringing together the voices of Aboriginal Australia, this unique performance celebrates the achievements and remembers the struggles of Indigenous people since this landmark decision. From the Torres Straits, Gerib Sik is an internationally acclaimed dance troupe.  This community dance group is dedicated in promoting Torres Strait Islander culture and continues to grow with the constant advice from Murray Island Elders. Luke Captain is from Murray Island in the Eastern Group of the Torres Strait Islands and his songs reflect his home and zogo – spirit of his ancestors. He is a …

Brownie Festival

It’s a brownie bonanza – in honour of Yarra Valley Chocolaterie’s signature couverture brownie, they are getting set to create a bountiful selection of flavours and taste sensations from 14 to 25 June. Expect a range of different decadent brownie flavours and brownie inspired treats and desserts in their all day Cafe and showroom to devour, while true brownie devotees will love the hosted ‘Ultimate Brownie Tasting Sessions’. Taste 10 Brownie Bites, sip on the cleansing cocoa tea blend and try the specially created Brownie Bomb and Brownie Ice Cream for $18 per person. Only very limited spots available at 11am, 12pm and 1pm sessions on Saturdays and Sundays during the Festival. Bookings a must via our classes section on the website. Earn some brownie points and plan another visit to the Chocolaterie. Content: Yarra Valley Chocolaterie When: 13 ~ 24 June 2018 Where: Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, 35 Old Healesville Road, Yarra Glen, Victoria, 3775 More information: Check their website.

National Celtic Festival 2018

Held annually in Portarlington, Victoria, Australia on the June long weekend. From near and far we gather in the wonderful township of Portarlington to Unleash the Spirit, Discover the Passion and Experience the Culture. An easy 90-minute drive from Melbourne, the township of Portarlington is ready to welcome you with open arms. Nestled between the Bellarine Peninsula’s renowned vineyards and the famous mussel farms of Corio Bay, this normally quiet bay side village comes to life with the music, laughter and passion of the Celtic spirit This winter festival is regarded as Australia’s premier Celtic Festival and attracts over 15,000 people to the region over the three day long weekend event each June. The event commences on Friday evening and concludes on Monday afternoon (over 4 days). The Festival uses a range of venues within the town, including community halls and spaces, the hotel, restaurants, cafes and churches. Marquees are also set up on the foreshore to provide additional venues; these include the Village Stage, Celtic Club, Wine Bar, and Celtic Markets. The National Celtic …

Wine & Wildlife 2018

Thinking about going away for Queen’s Birthday long weekend? Look no further because Healesville Sanctuary is teaming up with Yarra Valley icons to bring you a gourmet experience with a wild difference! Healesville Sanctuary is just one hour’s drive from Melbourne’s CBD through Victoria’s beautiful wine country. Over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend (9-11 June), Wine & Wildlife will bring you the best in food and wine against the backdrop of the Sanctuary’s stunning bushland setting. From 11am to 4pm each day, six event spaces will showcase a line-up of Yarra Valley wineries, craft beers and ciders with a good helping of delicious locally-sourced warming winter dishes available too. Warm up by roaring open fires and delight your senses with live acoustic music while keepers roam the grounds with some of our furry, feathered and scaly friends for serendipitous wildlife encounters. Plus, visit the Four Pillars Gin pop-up bar – you won’t want to leave with all the G&Ts, mulled wine, cheese and charcuterie on offer. All Wine & Wildlife proceeds directly support Zoos Victoria’s …

Bring It On The Musical

From the Tony Award winning minds of Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q) and Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton), comes a hilarious, high-energy spectacle. David Venn, in association with Stage Masters, presents the Australian professional premiere of BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL. Inspired by the hit movie of the same name, it’s a new musical bursting with acrobatics and sass, playing for a strictly limited season at The Athenaeum from 7-16 June. Nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical, BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL takes audiences on a high-flying journey that touches on themes of friendship and acceptance. Uniting some of the freshest and funniest creative minds on Broadway, the show features an original story by Tony Award winner Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q), music and lyrics by Tony Award winning composer, Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, In the Heights), music by Pulitzer and Tony Award winning composer, Tom Kitt (Next to Normal) and lyrics by Broadway lyricist, Amanda Green (High Fidelity).   The Australian production is directed by multi-Green Room Award nominee Alister Smith (Pacific Overtures, Urinetown! The Musical, The …

WIN: 1 x double pass to Italian Wine + Food Festival 2018

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED Ciao Melbourne, one of your favourite festivals is back! Italian Wine + Food Festival returns on 27 May 2018, Sunday at Royal Exhibition Building for its third year anniversary. Everything about eating and drinking in Italy comes together under one roof. From street-style pizza to refined fresh pasta. Here is your chance to win 1 x double pass to the event. All you need to do is fill out the form below and tell us what is your favourite Italian dish and why. Read more about the event here. COMPETITION CLOSES ON 23 May 2018

Italian Wine + Food Festival 2018

Everything that’s good about eating and drinking in Italy comes together under one roof in with the third annual Italian Wine + Food Festival. Just as the appeal of Italian food runs from street-style pizza-fun for the whole family to refined fresh-pasta for the gourmet foodie, the festival has food and drink, entertainment and information to suit everyone from spaghetti-loving kids to the most engaged Italian-speaking wine lover. Melbourne’s top Italian chefs are turning out in force to make it a day to remember, with much-loved locals Joe Vargetto  (Mister Bianco + Massi Restaurant), Francesco Rota  (Trattoria Emilia), James Kummrow  (Fatto), Dusty Treweek  (Bottega), Jesse MacFadden  (Massi Restaurant), Johnny di Francesco  (400 Gradi) and Luca Ciano  leading the charge. Festival-goers can feast on pizza, pasta, panini and Italian snacks at pop-up restaurants from Melbourne favourites Bottega , Saluministi , SICILY by Mister Bianco  + Massi, La Svolta Pizzeria e Trattoria, Figo Pizza  and 400 Gradi  plus there’ll be cooking demonstrations with chefs and providores on the Main Stage including a demonstration by self-taught cookbook author …

Italian Wine + Food Festival 2018 Program

MARKETPLACE Floridia Cheese Italian-style cheese, sweet ricotta tarts, cheese tasting plate and bocconcini skewers Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano Sampling of Pamigiano Reggiano from the wheel Prosciutto di Parma Prosciutto tasting cone with grissini Pane e Pizzico Hand-made Italian bread, focaccia, pizza coni, crostate, biscotti and flour Melbourne Arancini Selection of fresh hand-made rice balls cooked on the day to enjoy at the festival or take home Tipo 00 Pasta Making Showcase By Andreas Papadakis + Alberto Fava, Discover how to make different shapes of pasta at home – 1.00pm-1.45pm and 2.45pm-3.30pm Abruzzo Lab Selection of cucina Abruzzese, featuring arrosticini, fiadone and pizzelle Il Panzerotto – Taste of Puglia Serving a traditional food from Puglia called Panzerotto Arancini Art Selection of fresh hand-made rice balls Nonna’s Meatballs by The Purple Emerald Kitchen Traditional meatballs made by chef Nonna Maria to enjoy at the festival or take home Truffle Traders Range of truffle products including paste, oil, honey, salt, balsamic vinegar, ketchup, gluten-free pasta, whole truffles and more Chef Luca Ciano Chef Luca Ciano’s range of …