A Mini Food Festival Will Descend on the MCG in the Lead-Up to Grand Final Day
Nosh from the likes of Estelle, Biggie Smalls and Tokyo Tina sure beat a soggy meat pie.
You don't normally associate the MCG with fine dining — it's more overpriced pies and eating an entire six-pack of hot jam doughnuts to yourself. But it appears that's about to change in the lead up to this year's AFL Grand Final, as some of Melbourne's best restaurants set up outside the 'G.
Part of this year's pre-GF celebrations, Yarra Park will play host to a four-day Footy Festival (presented by Foxtel) in the lead-up to the big game, featuring music, movies and some seriously good food. Let us list them for you; Estelle, Fancy Hanks, Biggie Smalls and Tokyo Tina are just a few of the heavy-hitters – and you can expect footy-inspired spins on their typical cuisine. Think a kebab-burger hybrid from Biggie, and a meat pie taco (!) courtesy of Lady Carolina.
The team from South Yarra's decadent Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio will take care of dessert with their salted caramel footy pops. Clearly Foxtel has at least one foodie on the payroll. You can also have a tipple in the Yaks Ale Watering Hole, the Bulmer's Cider Garden, or Wolf Blass' pop-up wine bar, The Nest.
Yarra Park will also be home to the Grand Final Live Site, with activities, live entertainment and broadcasts, plus all 112 past Premiership Cups on display. Disclaimer: you will not be allowed to drink your wine out of a Premiership Cup.
The AFL Footy Festival will take place from Wednesday, September 28 to Saturday, October 1 (Grand Final day). For more info visit afl.com.au/footyfestival.
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