Melbourne is Australia's culinary capital, and the Allan Labor Government is backing another incredible year of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos today unveiled the 2025 program, announcing that the 10-day festival, from 21 to 30 March, will include more than 200 events across Victoria.
The Festival will kick off with the World's Longest Lunch in Melbourne's Kings Domain, where Melbourne-born chef Curtis Stone will create a three-course feast for hundreds of diners, on a row of tables more than 600 metres long.
Twenty international chefs are making their way to Victoria for the 2025 festival, bringing their creative food ideas from around the world with them. The festival is also brimming with Victorian and Australian chefs who will tantalize and entertain food lovers of all ages.
The reimagined World's Longest Brunch, led by author Julia Busuttil Nishimura, will give diners the chance to choose from delicacies at three stops around the Royal Botanic Gardens - including lemon mascarpone tarts at Tecoma Pavilion, chive pancakes at Taxodium Lawn and roasted apricots with labne at The Alto on Dog Flat.
Fed Square will host the Baker's Dozen, which brings Melbourne's top bakers together for a two-day celebration of cakes and pastries.
The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival provides a major boost to the state's tourism and hospitality sector, and is just one of many major blockbuster events across Victoria including the Australian Open, the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Yayoi Kusama Exhibition at the NGV - all contributing to Victoria's $39.2 billion visitor economy.
Program information is available at mfwf.com.au.
As stated by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
"From Melbourne's iconic dining scene to our regional foodie treasures, this Festival continues show why Victoria is a must-visit destination for food and wine lovers."
"Melbourne is the culinary capital of Australia, and our booming vibes economy keeps our state buzzing and boosts local jobs and businesses."
As stated by CEO of Food & Drink Victoria Anthea Loucas Bosha
"For 10 days in March there will be nowhere better in the world to eat and drink. I'm looking forward to raising a glass and eating something delicious with all the people who flock to Victoria."
As stated by Visit Victoria CEO Brendan McClements
"In addition to being the culinary capital of Australia, our pipeline of incredible major events means we're also the sporting and cultural capital, including the Boxing Day Test, Australian Open and the Yayoi Kusama Exhibition at the NGV."
As stated by Curtis Stone
"It's an incredible honour to be asked to take part in the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, which is truly one of the world's best food and drink events. In March there's no place more exciting to be than Melbourne."
