If you'd always planned on a trip down under this spring looks like a good excuse to start booking your tickets.
Australia's culinary hot spots, Melbourne and Sydney, will play host to a trio of unmissable food events including an exciting first, the re-location of Rene Redzepi's inspirational food symposium, MAD, from its' Danish home to Sydney Opera House.
So start packing, here's a taste of what's on offer:
1) Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
One of Victoria's hallmark events of the year is the food and wine oodies will be spoiled for choice. A huge catalogue of mouth-watering events are scheduled to take place in and around Melbourne from March 4-13.
Now in its 23rd year, the Festival highlights why Melbourne has become a world-class gastronomic destination, attracting visitors from across Australia and around the globe.
From famous dining locations to secret venues including rooftop bars and hidden cellars the festival offers up plenty of memorable experiences. Try the unmissable produce-driven, multi course lunches at the Regional World’s Longest Lunch, gin tastings on the beach, food and wine matching classes and a series of international chef dinners, where tickets are selling out fast.
World's Longest Lunch.
Photo Credit: Daniel Mahon
What Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
Where Various venues around Melbourne
www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au
2) Taste of Sydney
For a four day immersive Sydney dining experience head to the Taste of Sydney food and wine festival in Centennial Park from March 10 to 13, 2016. With a theme of South African Garden you're likely to get a taste of drumming, BBQ's and more at this party in the park.
Sydney's top culinary talent will be starring with dream tasting menus and over 60 tasting dishes from the most talked about restaurants in town. Visitors will also have a chance to brush up on their own skills in exciting masterclasses before purchasing some locally produced artisanal foods to try out their new skills at home.
What Taste of Sydney
Centennial Park
Website
2) MAD Symposium, Sydney
If you're after food for thought head to the cutting edge discussions guaranteed at Redzepi's MAD Symposium.