Life’s basically normal again and with the annual Melbourne Good Food Month back on this year – safely – it’s time to plan what you’re going to hit up.
Here are five feature events to add to the diary.
Flower Drum x Neil Perry
Where? Flower Drum | 6pm, 6:30pm & 7pm, Tuesday, 1 June | $220
Good Food Month couldn’t think of a better way to kick off Melbourne Good Food Month than with Flower Drum x Neil Perry. We wanted to go big – so we asked the country’s most hatted chef (149 at last count), Neil Perry, to collaborate with Melbourne’s culinary institution, Flower Drum for something truly exclusive. Neil has curated a one-off special menu filled with his favourite Flower Drum dishes – some of which are on the menu and some of which are the secret off-menu dishes made especially for Neil when he visits. Tickets include multiple courses plus a Q&A with the chefs.
Esmay Pop-up with Bar Liberty
Where? Bar Liberty | 5:30pm, 6pm, 8pm & 8:30pm, Tuesday 15 June | $140
Good things happen when you pair Alanna Sapwell’s travelling restaurant, Esmay, with Melbourne’s hatted wine and dine masterpiece, Bar Liberty. Both have a focus on seasonal produce, and both live on that axis where creativity meets comfort.
Alanna’s touring Esmay around the country with Good Food Month, with all events in Brisbane, Canberra & Perth selling out in a flash, so we recommend snapping up tickets early as tickets are limited to this Melbourne Good Food Month event.
Young Chefs Lunch presented by Citi at Lona Misa
Where? Lona Misa | 12:30pm, Sunday 20 June | $150
Viva la veg! A rebellious renaissance from root to stem is about to take place as we present the Young Chefs Lunch presented by Citi at Lona Misa. This event gives cooking’s wild young talent the chance to take centre stage and shine, and also officially launches the latest restaurant by creative culinary partners; the punk rock queen of veg, Shannon Martinez (Smith & Daughters, Smith & Daughters Deli) and her very own mentor; industry heavyweight, Ian Curley (French Saloon, Kirk’s Wine Bar).
Promoting and nurturing young talent is a Good Food Month legacy and we proudly shine a light on the crème-de-la-crème of Melbourne’s rising stars. This year’s hot young talent will design a four course menu, under the mentorship of Shannon and Ian.
The Good Weekend Quiz: Food Edition
Where? Chapter House | 6:30pm, Sunday 27 June | $140
Good Weekend’s The Quiz trivia masters have teamed up with Good Food’s restaurant critics to present The Good Weekend Quiz: Food Edition.
This is a night designed to test your knowledge of food, drinks and Australia’s dining history, have a laugh and enjoy some delicious food along the way. There will be multiple rounds plus bonus what/who-am-I questions, as well as a taste-test competition. The winning table will walk away with an array of prizes as well as bragging rights at every dinner party for the rest of the year. And it wouldn’t be a Good Food Month event without a very special menu – Andrew McConnell’s iconic Cumulus Inc team will be fuelling guests’ brain power with multiple courses, wine and beer. All questions at The Quiz will be food-themed, so put your money where your mouth is.
The Quiz will be hosted by Good Food Restaurant Critic-come-Trivia Master, Callan Boys, and Good Weekend Magazine Editor, Katrina Strickland.
Cho Cho San at Cumulus Inc.
Where? Cumulus Inc.’s upstairs dining room | Multiple sittings from 6pm, Thursday 24 June | $90
Join Good Food Month at Andrew McConnell’s hatted Cumulus Inc. as they host Cho Cho San for one night only. Celebrate the dynamic flavours of the hatted Sydney izakaya in the convivial surrounds of Cumulus Inc’s upstairs dining room for a multi-course mod-Japanese inspired menu.