15th Birthday BBQ Summer Series at Toorak Cellars
No ordinary backyard barbecue, this seven-week birthday celebration sees top Melbourne chefs team up to showcase their masterful skills with the tongs.
Overview
Tucked into the backstreets of Armadale, Toorak Cellars is gearing up to celebrate a major milestone, having served the "vinously afflicted" — as co-owner Lyndon Kubis puts it — for the past 15 years. To ring in the anniversary, this go-to wine destination is bringing back its BBQ Summer Series for a second year running, where two star-studded Melbourne chefs team up to take charge of the tongs every Sunday.
Running from 1–5pm each week from February 1–March 15, this easygoing sizzle-fest will undoubtedly see Toorak Cellars' backyard enveloped in mouthwatering aromas. That's because each duo firing up the barbie knows what it takes to deliver an incredible feast, with the likes of Carnation Canteen's Audrey Shaw, Rina's Danny Natoli, Pipis Kiosk's Jordan Clay and Meatsmith's Troy Wheeler just some of the esteemed chefs involved. For a little extra fun, the duo that serves the community's favourite menu is awarded the golden tongs.
"I'm pretty excited to come full circle and be back in my old neighbourhood and to be cooking for some old and new friends. The type of food you can expect is our version of some classic European favourites and the perfect accompaniments to enjoy along with some of your favourite wines in good company," says Wheeler, once a Toorak Cellars regular, who's pairing up Rory Cowcher, previously of Harley & Rose, and Cutler & Co.
Of course, the wine won't be a side event. For its birthday month, Toorak Cellars will put the Coravin through its paces, offering a series of by-the-glass feature wines poured in commemorative glassware. What's more, the venue will donate 50 percent of all BBQ Summer Series profits to the Harcourt Relief Fund while showcasing Madeinii-based martinis and Love Shack Brewing Co beers, with both businesses severely affected by the bushfires.
Images: Jana Langhorst.
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