Melbourne Wine and Food Festival 2015

BENDIGO BLUES TRAM & UNDERGROUND BANQUET
Friday 4 MARCH & Sunday 6 MARCH

12:00pm-5:30pm Friday; 6:00pm-11:30pm Sunday @ Rocks on Rosalind & Bendigo Tramways
Board the Bendigo Blues Tram, a restored 1930 charter, to cruise the historic streetscape with live music in motion, before returning to our local ‘rock star’ restaurant for Friday dinner or Sunday lunch.

Blues music in motion, fine food and grand history are all part of this experience. Begin with a beverage at ‘Rocks’, before ambling down to the Bendigo Blues Tram to experience an up-close-and-personal performance, with one of Victoria’s finest contemporary blues artists. Returning to the restaurant, feast on a three-course banquet with six shared savoury dishes and dessert selection to die for.

Ticket options include either a pre-dinner beverage, tram tour with live music followed by a three-course dinner or a Sunday lunch with second beverage and second blues artist. (Additional beverages are available for purchase.)

Cost: $110
Bookings: Bendigo Visitor Centre 1800 813 153
Website:

REGIONAL WORLD'S LONGEST LUNCH
Friday 4 MARCH

12:00pm-4:00pm @ Rosalind Park
Dine under the canopy of heritage trees and enjoy the incredible wines from Bendigo’s gold-bearing soils, from rich, ripe reds to elegant whites, all perfectly matched to regional produce by local sommeliers.

Rosalind Park is an oasis of calm, and our long lunch table will present wine and food from local vineyards and chefs under a canopy of heritage trees.

The same Bendigo soil that once provided wealth through gold, is now helping to produce award-winning wines to be enjoyed with lunch. You may well be seated next to one of the local producers who has meticulously crafted the wine you will be enjoying, and we know their stories will add to the sense of local identity you feel as you enjoy our tantalising wine and food experience.

Each of the six courses of regionally sourced produce is matched with local wines chosen by a panel of home-grown sommeliers and wine buyers.`

Cost: $120
Bookings: Bendigo Wine Bank on View (03) 5444 4655
Website:

COURTYARD COOK FEST
Sunday 6 March

12:00pm-4:00pm @ Rocks on Rosalind
Our courtyard hosts big and vibrant celebrations and we’re doing it again for those who love the sizzle of a giant outdoor grill and super wok, great wine, beer and music.

Head down the private lane way and discover a hidden celebration of outdoor feasting, music and fun. The Rocks on Rosalind courtyard has played host to some of Bendigo's biggest and most vibrant food, wine, beer and music celebrations, hidden within the tall trees of Rosalind Park and the walls of the first bank of the local Goldfields.

The Rocks team combines their love of an outdoor cook fest and playing host to the masses in their backyard to bring you a festival discovery created for food lovers who love everything that sizzles. Watch the chefs cook a variety of dishes right in front of you on the massive outdoor grill and the Rocks Super-Wok.

You can buy a multi-dish pass and try everything on offer as the menu keeps changing throughout the day. Sample local wine and beer and graze your day away on hot and cold dishes, meat, vegetarian and seafood specialties.

Bring your friends or make new ones in a fun, welcoming space complete with live music and great company.

Cost: 3 Dishes and tastings - $45; 5 dishes and tastings - $65
Bookings: Trybooking or Tough Cookie Marketing (03) 5441 2222
Website:

PADDOCK TO PARK CARNIVORE'L
Sunday 13 MARCH

11:00am-4:00pm @ Bendigo Botanic Gardens
In the autumn sunshine we’ll smoke, roast and sizzle the meats and produce of our region. Meet chefs, farmers and producers, taste local wines and beer, and relax with family friendly entertainment.

After two sell-out picnic events, Food Fossickers return to the beautiful Bendigo Botanic Gardens to again showcase the very best of the region. This year the focus is on the paddocks of central Victoria and the world-class and award-winning meats that are farmed there. Think sizzle, think smoke, think whole beasts and slow cooking.

The restaurants are back, along with our local winemakers, craft beer breweries and our producers. Choose from local chutneys, breads, cheeses, jams and condiments to accompany your lunch; build the ultimate carnivore's feast from the central hub or simply graze your way around the stall holders. Vegetarians are also catered for, along with those with a sweet tooth.

Sunshine, music, entertainment and great company are all included.

Cost: from $12