Good Food & Wine Show – Melbourne

Good Food & Wine Show - Melbourne

Good Food & Wine Show – Melbourne Rating

Click if you liked this article

2

With eager hearts and bellies, we set about the walk down South Wharf to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for our first taste of the 25th annual Good Food and Wine Show. This three-day foodie bender had been on our calendars for quite a while and with the Melbourne weather gods on our side, we knew the stars were aligning and we were in for a treat.

Upon entry we were met with an exciting blast of fragrances and laughter. It became clear that we needed a plan of attack for the 300 plus exhibitors before us. Often with these grand-scale conventions it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and spoilt for choice as to where to start. But armed with our complimentary wine tasting glasses, we forged forth into the throng.

The Harvey Norman stage hosted the chocolate queen herself Kristen Tibells. Audiences were treated to the eight distinct flavours of chocolate and the origins of cacao beans. Throughout the day, other A-list celebrity chefs hosted live demonstrations on this same stage. George Calombaris and Shannon Bennett took us through a culinary wonderland, their bubbly dynamic humorously punctuated by the surtitle screen above the stage providing commentary on the action happening below. Miguel Maestre also graced the stage with his infectious smile and delectable “Fiesta En La Cocina” demonstration for passionate cooking.

Being a “curd-nerd” myself (a term I learned from a friendly patron willing to let me jump the cue in front of him), I found myself instinctively gravitating toward the cheese district. First stop was the Smelly Cheese Co. grilling cheese toasties with their Quicke’s English Cloth 18 month Cheddar. Oh my heart. I would die happy. If I had all the time in the world, it wouldn’t have been enough to satiate my desire to sample every cheese stall. One such highlight was Long Paddock Cheese offering handmade artisan cheeses using organic cow’s milk from Castlemaine.

Their Bluestone was reminiscent of a creamy salty stilton and their Driftwood wrapped in spruce bark was baked to gooey perfection that you just wanted to dip a spoon in there and succumb to a cheesy coma heaven. However it was their signature cultured cream salted butter that took the spotlight. Simply spread on some crusty bread, you felt like a 17th century fop giggling over the luxury banquet before you.

Wines, gins and sakes were in abundance presenting flavours and aromas from all over the world. Lychee Estate took my eye with their “Horse’s Neck” cocktail. Located in the small Hong Kong town of Buluo, this distillery prides itself in providing “nourishment to the people and the fruit”. Their award winning lychee vodka and ten-year edition brandy boasts no less than 12 kg of lychees in every bottle. Their “Horse’s Neck” cocktail (a combination of their lychee brandy, ginger ale and lemon rind) reminded me of a great summer drink next to an Aperol spritz.

After sampling an unforgivable amount of sweets, snacks, pastries, condiments and alcohol, it was time for our slow and heavy departure. Word to the wise: next year bring a backpack for all your goodies and be sure to eat something before hitting the wines too hard.

To book tickets to the Good Food & Wine Show in your town, follow the link for session dates and times @ https://goodfoodshow.com.au/.

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

The Bubbles Festival: Two hours of bliss!

The Bubbles Festival

The Bubbles Festival Rating

Click if you liked this article

1

Who doesn’t like champagne, surely there can’t be anyone? The Bubbles Festival is currently touring around Australia spreading champagne love and we’re glad they are!

Devised by founder Natalie Pickett who created the idea during a meditation and so “divinely inspired”, it is a must for all lovers of the heavenly grape.

The event is an initiative of the Bubbles Review, supported by The Heart and Soul Group and is for people who like champagne and other bubbles! The Bubbles Review debunks the myths of champagne and makes the art of drinking champagne accessible.

The Festival is held at the iconic National Wine Centre, Adelaide which has the necessary ambience for a perfect two hours of education, tasting, giveaways and specials for the canny buyer.

The event begins with an introduction by Natalie Pickett herself who gives us an insight into tasting– picking the right glassware and how to taste (how the bubbles sound, the colour, the ‘nose’ or smell, the taste or where the champagne lands on the palate, and how it makes the consumer feel).

We also learn about the different methods of blending and the history of champagne. Natalie is the doyen of champagne and is a font of knowledge. I must confess, it took me all my strength not to taste the first offering before me on the table. I lasted till the tasting, some others didn’t!

We are then let loose to taste for ourselves, armed with tasting notes and our Riedel tasting glass, which we can take home as part of our ticket to the event.

There are representatives from six wineries scattered in the tasting room – George’s Folly, Goldings, Babo, Levrier, Kaeslar Wines and Champagne Abele 1757. The pace of tasting is just right, the representatives friendly and eager to share their stories (and wine) and the room is not too crowded.

The wines come from the Barossa Valley, the Adelaide Hills, Eden Hills, the Fleurieu, Italy and France. It is a world of wine for the discerning taster!

As well as the amazing selection of sparkling wines, there are canapes to encourage responsible drinking and to accentuate the flavour of the wines. The canapes are 5 star in presentation and taste and has something for every food group (great vegetarian options).

This was my first Bubbles Festival and it certainly won’t be my last! I increased my knowledge of champagne and tasting, met some fellow champagne lovers, enjoyed pairing restaurant quality food with wine and met the founder of the event, all packaged in the perfect venue for tasting!

The Bubbles Festival is a must for any lover of the grape. It is a heavenly two hours enjoying amazing wines. As Natalie says, it is a ‘Divinely inspired” event!

To book tickets to The Bubbles Festival next stop, please visit https://thebubblesreview.com/the-bubbles-festival/

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

Unwined Perth: Indulgent Unravelling

Unwined Perth

Unwined Perth Rating

Click if you liked this article

1

As I entered the venue for “Unwined Perth” at Supreme Court Gardens I was welcomed by enthusiastic ticket checkers with charming offers of free wine glasses (to take home) and encouragement to enjoy my time.
As the double entendre name of the event suggests, an ambience of casual decadence hits you as you stroll into the spacious venue.

“Cheer Up Sleepy Jean” by The Monkees is being sung in dulcet alto to acoustic guitar as a whirling dervish, glittered butterfly performance artist shimmies past, bursting with joy.

All vendor stands are clearly marked. Wooden barrels for tables with two bar stools are scattered randomly to accommodate rests between free wine, beer and cocktail tasting. Ornate fire pits are glowing ready for the oncoming chill of the Autumn in Perth. There are plenty of lavatories and shaded seating areas with free blankets to sit upon. Four food trucks have reasonably priced delicacies – the Pepperoni Pizza and prawn spring rolls were top notch.

For those with Premium Plumm tickets, a 90-minute-long table feast awaited with free beverages and tapas. For those that required guided tastings, “Barrell Sessions” provided standing only gatherings for $12 per person.

As I meandered amongst the revellers and tasted what was on offer, I managed to speak to a few vendors. Karen from “Cape Grace” shared that Friday night’s attendees were more interested in just having a drink whereas the Saturday afternoon clientele seemed more interested in discussing the finer nuances of wine. “Yeah Wine” is 4 years’ old and delights with in-your-face labels and merchandise such as caps and t-shirts (yes, I have a limited edition cap). Tom says the company has “… a lot of love to give…” with grapes sourced from Swan Valley to the Porongurup regions.

As I settled into the afternoon, acoustic guitar and vocal from, “Brooks” started getting the punters onto the grassed dance floor and it was only 1.30 pm. Jana and Matt said it was “…hot…” and that after playing at Unwined in Subiaco and in the city previously, it was “…good to be back…” and “…always a great event”.

By 2.00 pm the venue was packed with event staff making the rounds collecting rubbish and ensuring everyone’s comfort and safety. At this point, I noted that more seating could have been provided and that the delightful butterfly dancer was the only roaming performer I had seen.

After 30 years in the business, Director of CMS Events, Richard certainly knows what he’s doing – casual decadence at its finest.

To learn more about upcoming Unwined Events, please visit https://www.unwinedeventswa.com.au/.

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

Food, Wine and Good Times

Brisbane Good Food and Wine Festival

Brisbane Good Food and Wine Festival Rating

Click if you liked this article

Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending the Good Food and Wine Show at the Brisbane Convention Centre.

Featuring over 300 exhibitors from all over Australia, there was everything from artisanal goodies like breads, cheeses, delicious sweet treats, chutneys and spice mixes and everything in between. But if food is not your thing, there was also plenty of wine and spirits to be had from some of Australia’s top wineries, distillery and breweries.

The Brisbane Good Food and Wine Festival is truly a delightful celebration for food enthusiasts. But for me, this year’s highlight was the BBQ Ribs Masterclass. The session was both informative and hands-on, providing participants with insider tips on seasoning, marinating, and the perfect cooking techniques for tender, flavorful ribs.

The atmosphere was electric, with the aromas of smoky BBQ wafting through the air. Attendees had the chance to get up close and personal with the grilling process, learning the art of achieving that perfect char while keeping the meat juicy and tender for a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

 

But if BBQ Ribs are not your thing, fear not; there are plenty of masterclasses and cooking demonstrations to satisfy your every foodie desire. The camaraderie among food lovers added to the experience, creating a festive vibe that resonated throughout the event.

Overall, the BBQ Ribs Masterclass was a standout event, perfectly blending education with indulgence. Whether you’re a seasoned cook, a novice, or just a lover of all things food, wine, and good times, this experience will not disappoint. It offered attendees valuable insights and a deeper appreciation for all things produce, food, wine, and spirits.

There was so much to see and do we couldn’t actually fit it all in. The Brisbane Food and Wine Festival continues to impress, making it a must-visit for anyone who loves good food and great company.

The Festival is over for 2024, but be sure to mark your calendars for the 24th-26th October 2025 next year when the Good Food & Wine Show returns to Brisbane, or sign up for the newsletter to stay up to date @ https://goodfoodshow.com.au/. See you next year!

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

Spread the word on your favourite platform!