I was lucky enough to score a few tickets to the Good Food and Wine Show in Melbourne this year thanks to the organisers. After attending last year, I wanted to see and eat more food and more drink wine this year. Although there are a few exhibitions that revolve around food each year in Melbourne, the Good Food and Wine Show focuses on producers rather than on restaurants.
 |
| Good Food and Wine Show Melbourne 2013 |
Held over the Queen's Birthday long weekend, I attended Sunday afternoon and unsurprisingly the Convention Center was packed. There are over 300 producers/stores, many which I hadn't heard of, producing and distributing interesting and niche products.
 |
| Bionade - a delicious range of organic fermented and carbonated beverages |
Most offer samples of their wares, with products available for purchase on the day. The entire show is still mainly a promotional exercise though - I doubt I'm the only person who generally gravitates towards buying things I'm familiar with. There's really something for all tastes here.
 |
| ChocoMe - handmade chocolates from Adelaide |
 |
| the Gourmet Nut Co - a moorish range of flavoured nuts |
There was also a 'Cheese Alley' this year - the perfect collection of producers to satisfy every cheese-lover's fantasy.
Food isn't the only attraction at the Good Food and Wine Show - the Celebrity Theater (demonstrations) and hands-on Masterclasses are also incredibly popular with most sessions I saw completely full.
Nespresso had one on making great coffees using their machines,
 |
| Nespresso - A Journey Through Coffee |
 |
| Miguel Maestre |
The hands-on Masterclasses were something new to this years show and they seemed to be a big success with every available surface covered with food and cooking utensils.
 |
| Fisher & Paykel's YUM Kitchen |
 |
| Barilla Pasta |
I can't skip the second part of the name though with almost as many beer, cider and wine exhibitors as there were food exhibitors.
 |
| Sakenet Australia - distributors of quality Japanese Sake |
Wineries from the Barossa Valley made a strong appearance in a mini-collection of cellar doors, which I loved especially as I recently returned from a road-trip to try SA wine.
If you have even a mild interest in food and/or wine, you'll appreciate the Good Food and Wine Show as it can be an eye-opening experience. There really is something for everyone. If you love your food and/or wine, you'll have serious fun planning your stops (you have to time those masterclasses carefully after-all) and then attempting to execute your carefully written plan while interesting distractions come at you from eveyr angle. I really wanted to try the Savour Chocolate & Patisserie School and Riedel Wine Theatre classes but the timing just didn't work for me. Perhaps next year.
