Full from food festival

Southbank was central to much of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival last month, with many events and the permanent coffee hut in Queensbridge Square.

The Urban Coffee Farm was the mainstay and meeting point for the festival and quickly became a popular feature of Queensbridge Square.

Unlike last year, Mother Nature was smiling on the opening weekend and Southgate’s event was full of fun and tasty food. Tasting plates were popular and activities such as cooking demonstrations and live entertainment kept the large crowds entertained all afternoon.

Southgate spokesperson Kerrie Allen said all the traders within its complex had embraced the festival, and it resulted in a fantastic vibe over the weekend.

“Our event, Celebrate a World of Flavour, offered a weekend of dining and entertainment throughout Southgate. Delicious tasting plates were available from the likes of BearBrass, PJ O’Brien’s, La Camera, Miyako, Scusami, Tutto Bene, wagamama, Chill On Ice Lounge and Trampoline,” Ms Allen said.

Southgate wasn’t the only place in Southbank you could celebrate the festival last month, with events at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), Crown and the Arts Centre.

MCEC’s From Farm to Fork was a spectacle dinner, highlighting the journey of food, keeping in the overall theme of the festival – Earth.

MCEC executive chef, Tony Panetta, said the event was a wonderful chance to enjoy the world-class facilities at MCEC.

“Our MFWF From Farm to Fork dinner was an example of how MCEC supports local producers, which I think is rare for a venue of our size,” Mr Panetta said.