River Graze returns

By Medha Vernekar

The annual Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is back to transform the banks of the Yarra into a foodie’s paradise!

The River Graze opening weekend kicks off from March 16-18 with a lineup of events such as the Food Truck Stop, Southgate Seafood Fest, River Graze Market, City Cellar and many more.

A pop-up edible garden will be a green sight amidst the concrete of Southbank for visitors to witness a growing space for semi and mature plants and information on how to grow them at home.

Event goers will be able to experience a slice of Naples as the renowned chef Johnny D Francesco will be serving up a classic Italian feast with his own line-up of talented craftsmen and pizzaiolo on Crown Riverwalk.

Heinz will be offering diners a classic Australian barbecue but the starring act will be its range of sauces including Ketchup, Spicy BBQ, Honey Mustard, and the winner of the 2018’s Product of the Year, Garlic Aioli.

Seafood lovers could make their way to five pop-up restaurants all serving up delicious seafood dishes along the Southgate promenade at the Southgate Seafood Feast.

The River Graze Market will be showcasing local produce from all around Victoria with a farmers’ market in the heart of the city.

Beatbox Kitchen’s Raph Rashid handpicked a vast collection of the city’s best food trucks to bring along their regular menus along with a dish especially created for the festival to feed hungry diners on the banks of the Yarra.

The Southbank Spillway will be transformed into the Sweet Valley for the festival as dessert purveyors (including New York’s Oddfellow Ice Cream) use local harvest into their sweet dishes for diners to indulge as they enjoy family-friendly entertainment in the community space.

Queensbridge Square will be a hub of celebrating the different styles of barbecues around the world with its red steps being transformed into local pop-up beer garden for guests to kick back with.

The River Graze will also be showcasing its gallery of local producers of cheese, cured meats and beers from Stomping Ground Brewing Co in Collingwood and Moon Dog from Abbotsford. Attendees will also be able to enjoy a selection of wines from the Yarra Valley, Bendigo and Geelong.

For more information on dates and bookings, please check out the website www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/program/river-graze-opening-weekend