Overview
Melbourne and Sydney. We love to have a rivalry, don't we? So how did Sydney get Good Food Month for all these years without sharing? Well this year, Good Food Month is venturing to our fine city in November and giving us a piece of the pie. Ahead of the official program launch on October 1, here are a few things that will whet your appetite in anticipation.
Night Noodle Markets
The Night Noodle Markets have been a hit in Sydney year after year and now they are coming to Melbourne. Alexandra Gardens will spend two weeks of spring as an Asian hawker-style market, housing countless food stalls, bars and entertainment. Melbourne favourites like Longrain and Mamak will be there cooking up a storm. Expect signature dishes including freshly made roti, Peking duck pancakes and Shanghai-style soup dumplings. The Night Noodle Markets will run nightly from Monday 18 November to Saturday 30 November from 5pm.
Spice Smackdown at Maha
Shane Delia (Maha) and Benjamin Cooper (Chin Chin) have made quite a name for themselves as chefs who know how to bring the heat. But what happens when they go head to head? Well #spicesmackdown will see them present four shared courses while their bartenders whip up some cocktails to match. Find out who handles the heat in this fiery event. Grant Smilie will also be on hand to match music to the evening.
A touch of the International
It wouldn't be a food festival in Australia without shipping in some of the cream of the crop from around the world. Good Food Month is no different. Renowned international chefs making an appearance include Rene Redzepi, from Noma restaurant in Copenhagen, which just so happens to be ranked second in the world. He will be in town promoting his new cookbook which details recipes, photographs and insights from the man himself. Alex Atala from D.O.M. in Brazil (No.6 in the world) will also be making an appearance as he launches his first English cookbook. These events will be ones to watch.
Rockpool Celebrates 1989 at Rosetta Ristorante
In a nod to a time gone by, Neil Perry is presenting a dinner at Rosetta Ristorante, which remembers the year that was 1989 — the date that Rockpool opened its doors. The Classics will bring together nostalgia and progressive cooking onto the same plate. In a very new age touch, Neurogastronomy expert Professor Charles Spence will use gin to prepare the palate for each course. Colour us curious.
Supernormal Sneak Peak
Andrew McConnell's latest baby, Supernormal, housed in 171 Collins Street is set to open its doors early 2014. During Good Food Month guests can get a taste of what is to come at Supernormal Canteen, temporarily located in the space just next to Cutler & Co for the month. Think sharp Asian flavours, hard-hitting cocktails and sake. The space has been designed by Projects of Imagination.
Other things to look out for include MoVida celebrating 10 years with no doubt a feast for the senses; a Hats Up and Down where Mark Best’s Marque will come to Pei Modern and vice versa; learn to roll your own couscous session with Jason Jones from B’stilla; and a weekly lunch Above the Rooftops at Union Dining where a different region of Victoria will be sampled each week.
The full program will be launched October 1, including dates and times for the above events. All program details will also be available online at goodfoodmonth.com.