Hit the road with Melbourne Food & Wine Festival this November

In partnership with Visit Victoria, the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival will take the show on the road for a 10-day Regional Edition featuring the Gippsland Seaside Weekender and the World’s Longest Lunches in the Yarra Valley and Ballarat.

Anthea Loucas Bosha, CEO of Food + Drink Victoria, the not-for-profit parent company behind the festival, said she’s thrilled to be back in regional Victoria this year. 

“This program highlights the extraordinary experiences that make Victoria the best place in the world to eat and drink, from World’s Longest Lunches in the Yarra Valley and Ballarat to a weekend of incredible chef collaborations in Inverloch as part of the Gippsland Seaside Weekender. Let’s hit the road,” she said. 

Seven bars run by leading producers, including Patrick Sullivan and William Downie, Momento Mori and Bandicoot Run, Dirty Three Wines, Sailors Grave, Good Land Brewing, Gurneys Cider and Loch Brewery and Distillery and 14 winemakers will join the festivities at the Wine Gippsland Cellar. 

The World’s Longest Lunch, Melbourne Food & Wine Festival’s signature event, will be a seaside affair this year, taking place at the Gippsland Seaside Weekender with concurrent events happening simultaneously at Hubert Estate in the Yarra Valley and The Goods Shed in Ballarat. 

On the food front, The Cook Up’s Adam Liaw will lead the charge, teaming up with chef Thi Le of Anchovy, Jeow and Ca Com fame, while Paul Carmichael of Momofuku Seiobo will working along with Nick Mahlook of Sodafish. Other notable guests include MasterChef winner and pâtissier Emelia Jackson, The Invy Baker, Jo Barrett from Little Picket, Mod Dining chef Clayton Wells, Paynesville heroes Sardine Dining and many more. 

Steve Dimopoulos, the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, said: “Victoria’s produce and culinary talent is world class – and what better way to celebrate this essential part of our culture than heading out to our regions to sample it. We’re proud to support the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival’s Regional Edition because it showcases Victoria’s strengths, brings more people to the regions, and supports local jobs.” 

Tickets for the 2023 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival Regional Edition go on sale at 10am, Thursday 7 September. Pre-sale tickets are available for MFWF subscribers from 10am Monday 4 September.

Stay up-to-date with the latest industry news with the Drinks Trade e-newsletter.