Melbourne Good Food Month presented by Citi, supported by the City of Melbourne and Victorian Government, will safely return to Melbourne this June, celebrating the very best of the capital city for the eighth sensational year. Tickets are now live only at goodfoodmonth.com.
This year’s programme celebrates culinary collaborations between homegrown industry talent from different corners of the country as Neil Perry takes over Flower Drum; Alanna Sapwell brings her travelling restaurant, Esmay, to life at Bar Liberty; a talented line up of young chefs unite, hand-picked and led by the punk rock queen of veg herself, Shannon Martinez, and Culinary Consultant Ian Curley, for a lunch at Lona Misa; and Andrew McConnell’s Cumulus Inc. hosts Cho Cho San for one night only before the legendary Cumulus Inc. team joins forces with Good Weekend and Good Food to bring The Good Weekend Quiz: Food Edition to Melbourne for the first time at Chapter House.
Venessa Cowell, Head of Nine Food Events said, “More than ever before, the importance of supporting the Melbourne hospitality and dining industry is at the front and centre of our minds. This year, not just throughout the month of June, but at every opportunity, in any way you can, together let’s throw our support behind the venues that we love and those we take for granted as being part of the fabric of Melbourne.”
Presenting Partner Citi is offering their customers a 20% discount on feature event tickets when customers pay with a Citi card. T&Cs apply.
Samantha Elliott, Head of Digital Sales and Marketing at Citi said “Citi customers love to dine out, and with travel being difficult at the moment it’s the perfect excuse to explore the culinary adventures available in your local city. Good Food Month will provide the perfect reason to try that new restaurant or head to one of the excellent events we have on offer, including the Young Chefs Dinner presented by Citi which spotlights new industry talent.”
City Activation portfolio lead, Councillor Roshena Campbell, said Melbourne is undoubtedly the foodie capital of Australia and there is no better time to support the city’s world-class dining.
“Sponsored through our City Reactivation Event Grants, Good Food Month will be helping to revitalise our hospitality and entertainment sectors by bringing more people back to the city.” Cr Campbell said.
WIN an exclusive VIP experience, courtesy of Major Partner, Celebrity Cruises
For the first time in Melbourne, Celebrity Cruises will be upgrading four lucky Good Food Month ticket holders to a taste of VIP luxury at one of the Good Food Month feature events! Guests can expect a surprise and delight experience with an upgraded table, unrivalled service, exclusive food and beverage inclusions and chef experiences, and much more.
As a proud partner of Melbourne Good Food Month this year, Celebrity Cruises will be sharing what sets the luxurious Celebrity experience apart from the rest, making them the most revered culinary offering at sea. From Michelin-star chef menus, inspired by, and locally sourced from, the amazing regions they visit, to the most awarded wine list at sea – served by the largest onboard sommelier team in the world
- and the values of diversity, inclusion, sustainability, and outstanding service that underpin it all. Get ready to challenge your perceptions of a cruise holiday, as Celebrity Cruises pushes boundaries to a new tantalising level.
Heaps Normal is proud to be served at all Melbourne Good Food Month feature events this year. Heaps Normal brews real beer without the hangover. Whether you’re cutting back or sober, cheers to making it heaps normal to enjoy a great tasting beer.
Melbourne Good Food Month Feature Events
General admission tickets on sale 9am AEST, Thursday 6 May.
Flower Drum x Neil Perry | Flower Drum |6pm, 6:30pm & 7pm, Tuesday, 1 June | $220
Good Food Month couldn’t think of a better way to kick of 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-of 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 | 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 fash, so we recommend snapping up tickets early as tickets are limited to this Melbourne Good Food Month event.
BUY TICKETS HERE – FIRST SITTING
BUY TICKETS HERE – SECOND SITTING
Young Chefs Lunch presented by Citi at Lona Misa | 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 | 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. | Cumulus Inc. | 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 favours of the hatted Sydney izakaya in the convivial surrounds of Cumulus Inc’s upstairs dining room for a multi-course mod-Japanese inspired menu.
Friends of Good Food Month Events
Regional and metro venues running small capacity events will be supported more than ever this year as part of the umbrella program of events, Friends of Good Food Month, which is an epic series of bespoke dining experiences, as curated by the industry.
Events taking place w/c 31 May
Mister Bianco | Sicilian Beachside Dining | 7pm – 10pm, 1 June | $150
Pull up a seat and feel the sand at your feet (literally) as special guest chef Lorena Corso from Napier Quarter, along with Joe Vargetto, owner and chef at Mister Bianco, share a special degustation menu highlighting well-known products and wines from Sicily. Tickets include six courses with wine.
Frederic | Mornington Peninsula Dinner | 6:30pm – 10pm, 1 June | $160
Celebrate Good Food Month with an evening dedicated to the Mornington Peninsula. Enjoy a six-course meal with matched wines highlighting local producers and cuisine from the Mornington Peninsula area.
Dessous | Joel Baylon & Dan Sawansak | 6pm – 9pm, 2 June | $110
Ex-Shobosho chef Joel Baylon is set to return to Melbourne from Adelaide, and his first move is to team up with friend Dan Sawansak of Dessous for a night of Asian-leaning dishes delivered with an original spin. To welcome Joel home as he gets ready to open One Trick Pony in Fitzroy North, Dan will be sharing the kitchen at Dessous with his old friend as they play around with XO sauce, kimchi, fermented chilli and rice dishes, alongside bearnaise, anchovy, cured fish and more.
Mister Bianco | Sagra Cous Cous San Vito Lo Capo, By Lorena Corso | 12pm – 3pm, 6 June | $125
In a nod to the annual Cous Cous Festa held in the beautiful seaside village of San Vito Lo Capo, one of Sicily’s most popular food festivals, Mister Bianco will turn into a beachside paradise for an exclusive lunch event. Feel the sand under your toes and enjoy the tastes of traditionally prepared couscous dishes that feature across a four-course menu.
Events taking place w/c 7 June
Gingerboy | A Trip to Asia | 5:30pm – 11pm, 8 June | $130
Pack your bags, because Gingerboy is taking you on a trip across Asia! Experience mouth-watering dishes inspired by various Asian countries from the Philippines to Korea, Indonesia and Bali, ending with a delectable dessert from Vietnam.
Hazel | The Agrarian Kitchen Eatery | 6pm – 9pm, 8 June | $140
Don’t miss a rare chance to see three young leaders of Australia’s school of DIY and zero-waste cooking as they team up for a special dinner. Stephen Peak of The Agrarian Kitchen will join chefs Brianna Smith and Oliver Edwards of Hazel to offer a thoughtful DIY approach to cooking that’s rarely seen at a large CBD restaurant. Every course will involve multiple dishes that highlight produce, process and a passion for time-honoured skills.
Hogget Kitchen | Taste of West Gippsland | 6pm – 10pm, 12 June | $180
Showcasing the best produce, ingredients and wines that West Gippsland has to offer, immerse yourself in the stunning views surrounding the restaurant at Hogget Kitchen while watching the open kitchen prepare your menu for the evening. Each menu item will be paired with wines from local winemakers working the vineyard at Wild Dog Estate.
Events taking place w/c 14 June
Kisume | Chablis Wine Dinner | 7pm – 10pm, 15 June | $350
Indulge in a five-course menu that pays homage to the crispness and minerality of Chablis wines, paired perfectly with Kisumé’s seasonal produce. Embrace the experience with wines such as 2018 Domaine Piuze, Terroir Magnum and 2018 Domaine Long-Depaquit Chablis Grand Cru Blanchots, paired perfectly with Red Emperor with Bamboo, Smoked Soy and Marron with Cha-zuke, Sea Urchin and more.
Rosetta Ristorante | Red Wines & Winter Braises: The Mid-Winter Feast | 6:30pm – 9:30pm, 16 June | $199
Enjoy the comfort of warming winter braises, stews and slow-poached dishes from different regions of Italy, with bold reds and other beverages at Rosetta’s exclusive four-course, mid-winter feast.
Matilda | A Story of Provenance: The Butcher, the Providore & the Chef | 7pm – 10pm, 16 June | $125
Join Matilda Head Chef, Aleksis Kalnins, long-standing supplier and providore, Mark Foletta and Scott Pickett Group’s in-house butcher for a four-course collaborative dinner celebrating the butcher, the providore and the chef. The exclusive event menu will take you on a journey of provenance from farm to table.
Entrecôte | Chasseur & Amis | 7pm – 10pm, 16 & 17 June | $249.90
This special event is a celebration of the relationship between Entrecôte’s Mr Jones and his favourite French restaurant in Melbourne. Nick Stock, one of Australia’s most respected wine critics, will play a hosting role at this dinner that will showcase wines exclusively imported by France Soir.
These delicious drops will be matched with a divine winter menu by Entrecôte chef, Tim Menger in what is sure to be a night of pure enjoyment.
Saké Restaurant & Bar Hamer Hall | Nose-to-Tail Bluefin Tuna Experience | 6pm – 9pm, 17 June | $169
Watch Saké’s Japanese chefs break down a whole sustainable Bluefin Tuna, as guests enjoy an exclusive five-course menu that showcases a variety of cuts of meat, traditional cooking methods, as well as Saké’s signature super-fusion stamp.
Spice Temple | Spice Solstice Feast | 6pm – 9pm, 17 June | $149
Spice Temple is dedicating a delicious multi-course menu to the Winter Solstice, or Dōngzhì Festival, including the creation of special dishes, each with the warming fragrances of classic spices and paired with beautiful beverages.
Chancery Lane | Women in Wine with Winemaker Mel Chester| 6pm – 10pm, 17 June | $175
Join the team at Chancery Lane as they celebrate female winemakers this Good Food Month. Chancery Lane’s Sommelier, Hannah Day, partners with local winemaker Mel Chester of Sutton Grange for a three-course dinner, emceed by influential wine writer Jeni Port. Don’t miss this chance to taste an exclusive menu from Chancery Lane and learn more about locally grown alternative wine varieties by three ‘women in wine’ with a shared passion.
Farmer’s Daughters | Gippsland Trufe Degustation | 12:30pm – 3:30pm, 19 June | $250pp
Indulge in a fine, five-course lunch celebrating Gippsland-sourced truffles, seasonal produce and premium wines at Farmer’s Daughters. Executive Chef, Alejandro Saravia and Head Chef, David Boyle are set to create a menu that highlights the restaurant’s philosophy of sourcing and serving seasonal ingredients from the Gippsland region and cooking over wood and charcoal in a campfire kitchen.
Bar Carolina | A Day in Milan: A tribute to Gualtiero Marchesi | 12:30pm – 4:30pm, 20 June | $265 Join the team at Bar Carolina as they transport you to the streets of Lombardy’s capital for a luxurious long lunch with matched beverages, where diners will indulge in signature Milanese dishes.
The premier event in Bar Carolina’s upcoming Uno Chef, Una Città’ series, ‘A Day in Milan: A tribute to Gualtiero Marchesi’ honours the legacy of the father of modern Italian cuisine, with a menu showcasing the rich culinary traditions Marchesi established in Milan at Ristorante Gualtiero Marchesi, the first Italian restaurant to receive three Michelin stars.
Events taking place w/c 21 June
Eureka 89 | Winter Solstice Game Dinner | 6.30pm – 9.30pm, 21 June | $190
Eureka 89 celebrates the winter solstice with a special game dinner curated by award-winning Executive Chef, Renee Martillano in collaboration with Australia’s leading game specialists. The special five-course event menu will focus on the favours of the colder months and highlight local Australian game whilst wines will be expertly matched by Eureka 89’s Sommelier.
Citrico | Omakase | 7pm – 10pm, 24 June | $110
Citrico will celebrate Nikkei cuisine at this special Good Food Month event, where the art, techniques, style and favours of Japan meet Peruvian foods. Citrico’s Omakase will feature a ten-course tasting menu, inclusive of some of the finest quality seafood, fish and meats sourced by Head Chef, Dave Allison.
Poodle Bar & Bistro | Rocco’s Returns | 6pm – 10pm, 22 June | $69
Rocco’s Bologna Discoteca returns to take over Poodle Bar and Bistro for one night only this Good Food Month. Think Italian home-style cooking, meatball subs and an exciting list of natural and classic Italian wines. This event will be an all-out Italian celebration with an Italian DJ who’ll hit the decks to get the fiesta feels flowing.
Estelle | Pickett’s Gin Launch & Exclusive Gin-Paired Dinner | 6:30pm – 9pm, 24 June |$150
Scott Pickett has partnered with local distillery Anther Spirits to create a special, limited-edition gin every year since 2018. This year, Pickett’s Gin will be taken to new heights with the ‘Altitude Gin’, favoured with native botanicals all foraged above 400m. Join the team at Estelle to celebrate the launch of the new gin with a three-course menu plus snacks and matched gin cocktails.
Ten Minutes by Tractor | Making Waves | 11:45am – 4pm or 6:30pm – 10pm, 25 June | $190 for 6 course tasting menu or $300 with matching wines
Join the team from Ten Minutes by Tractor as they explore some of Victoria’s traditional and most famous wines, up against some wonderful varieties and styles showing Victoria is also on the bleeding edge of wine innovation. Each of these exciting and iconic wines will be paired with a six-course tasting menu featuring the best produce the Mornington Peninsula has to offer.
Hemingways | Prosecco vs Sparkling Sake Luncheon | 1pm – 4pm, 26 June | $129
Everyone loves a glass of bubbles, but do you know much about the incredible favour profiles of Prosecco and Sparkling Sake? Join the Queens of Fizz, Prosecco Queen Melissa Brauer and Sake Specialist Melissa Mills, for a five-course luncheon at Hemingway’s Wine Room where guests will taste their way through Italy and Japan.
Longrain | Thai Street Food & Cocktail Celebration | 4pm – 6pm, 27 June | $95
Longrain is opening on Sunday 27 June for an exclusive cocktail-style Thai street food celebration where guests will enjoy canapes of Longrain favourites and exclusive street food style dishes, cooked authentic Thai-style over hot coals and fire along with a Thai-inspired cocktail menu.
Multiple Event Dates
Kumo Izakaya & Sake Bar | Taste of Japan with Jazz | 6pm – 9pm, 2 & 22 June | $149
Relax to the sounds of live jazz while enjoying a Japanese four-course dinner, featuring pescatarian delights and foraged wild mushrooms. Included is a selection of wine and sake pairings per course.
Rob Dolan Wines | The Pairing Method: Food and Wine Down to the Element | 11am – 2:30pm, 5, 12 & 19 June | $160
Join Master of Wine Meg Brodtmann and hatted Chef Tyson Bertoncello to take your food pairing to the next level. After sparkling on arrival, you’ll kick off the session with a tasting by Meg, renowned as one of Australia’s top wine judges and all-round legend. Once you’re a pro at tasting wine, you’ll start exploring different ingredients, aided by Tyson of two-hat restaurant O.MY. That’s right – the king of the kitchen will take your pairings to create the perfect match for the wine right in front of your eyes.
David’s | Pinot with Shanghai Pork & Roast Duck | 6:30pm – 9:30pm, 9, 16, 23 & 30 June | $50 or $78 with matched wines
Enjoy a five-course dinner celebrating Shanghai-style duck and pork dishes including tea-smoked duck leg, braised pork belly with mini fried sweet buns. Add the special Pinot Noir package to have each dish matched with a half-glass of Pinot Noir – making this the perfect winter dining experience.
Rice Paper Scissors | Tiki Tuesdays | 6pm – 10pm, Tuesdays throughout June | $45
Thought Tiki was all about plastic flowers? Think again! Experience a dining event like no other – a restaurant with no plates and edible cocktails, with a fun Tiki twist. Enjoy Rice Paper Scissors’ South East Asian favours, but this time with no plates or cutlery, using only your hands to enjoy the food. This event will exclusively use local and sustainable suppliers, minimising waste in every way possible, but maximising favour and of course, fun.
Mamasita | Taco Flight Tuesdays | 5:30pm – 10pm, Tuesdays throughout June | $45 or $90 with paired wines
For Good Food Month, Mamasita will be rotating a six-course taco fight every Tuesday throughout June. Guests will have the option of pairing each taco with a matched six-course agave fight (wine is also an option) prepared by head Mezcalier. The matches will alternate dependent on the taco courses for that particular day.
Poodle Bar & Bistro | Good Food Month Fridays | 12pm – 3pm, Fridays throughout June | $45 Poodle Bar & Bistro will be offering an express lunch throughout the month of June, in celebration of Good Food Month, featuring highlights from their delicious bistro menu. Enjoy snacks, your choice of main and a glass of wine or beer and coffee or tea for just $45 per person, with the option to add on dessert.
Vue de monde | Taste of Vue | 12:00pm – 1:30pm, Fridays throughout June | $165
Vue de monde presents a Taste of Vue for Good Food Month. A thoughtfully curated fve-course lunch menu designed to be enjoyed on a Friday lunch break with friends and colleagues alike. Taste of Vue will run each Friday throughout June showcasing a selection of innovative Australian-focused dishes that have become synonymous with Vue de monde.
The Grand Hotel | Italian Yum Cha | 12pm – 3pm, Saturdays & Sundays throughout June | $40-$80 Head to The Grad Hotel this Good Food Month for an array of Italian classics served Yum Cha style. A dining concept that is tried and tested and loved by many! Steam baskets of arancini, mini serves of ravioli and tortellini, mini pizzas and bomboloni (Italian doughnuts) are just a few of the favourites.
Ishizuka | Premium Bento Boxes with Paired Sake | Available for pick up from 5pm Thursdays – Mondays throughout June | $450 feeds 3-4 people
Take home a three-level premium bento box created with the highest grade Australian and Japanese produce including a range of Japanese delicacies the style of osechi ryori, with paired sake. Each box is designed to share with family or friends.
Lunch Events
Rice Paper Scissors | Battle of the Bao: Sucking Pig V Tempura Eggplant | 11:30am – 2:30pm, Mondays – Fridays throughout June | $45
Order the lunchtime banquet for two or more Mondays – Fridays throughout June for a free suckling pig bun or tempura eggplant bun per person. Which bun is the most popular? You decide! The winner will be announced at the end of the month.
Matilda | Let’s Do Lunch | 12pm – 3pm, Fridays throughout June | $45
Join the team at Matilda every Friday during June for a special Let’s Do Lunch offer for Good Food Month. Matilda will be serving house dry-aged Milla Farm duck with a glass of Bannockburn pinot noir for just $45 per person – the perfect way to ease into the cooler weather.
Estelle | Let’s Do Lunch | 12pm – 3pm, Fridays throughout June | $45
Experience Good food Month at Estelle every Friday in June for a special Let’s Do Lunch offer. Enjoy Estelle’s famous tapioca croquette snack and a pork loin main with a glass of Counterpoint wine for just $45 per person – the perfect way to end the working week.
Rare Hare Wine & Food Store | Let’s do Lunch – The Hare’s Share | 12pm – 5pm, Weekdays throughout June | $45
Savour a selection of delicious dishes and a glass of estate wine followed by tea or coffee, while overlooking the rolling vines at Rare Hare Food & Wine Store this Good Food Month.
Noir | Let’s Do Lunch | 12pm – 2pm, daily throughout June | $45
Noir brings ‘fruits de mer’ to Richmond this Good Food Month. Enjoy a classic lunch packed with fresh seafood and exceptional French wine with your choice of a two-course lunch or a shared seafood platter.
Bar Lourinha | Let’s Do Lunch | 11am – 2pm, daily throughout June | $45
Join the team at Bar Lourinha for lunch throughout the month of June and enjoy tapas and two raciones with a glass of wine for only $45 per person. A delicious Portuguese and Spanish lunch created by Chef Matt McConnell of Bar Lourinha, the iconic restaurant and bar in its fifteenth year of service.
Maha | Let’s Do Lunch | 12pm – 3pm, weekdays throughout June | $45
During the month of June, experience a delectable two-course lunch at Maha with a glass of wine, plus tea and coffee for just $45 per person.
Rockpool Bar & Grill | David Blackmore Wagyu Burger Lunch | Available daily throughout June | $20
Treat yourself to a mouth-watering David Blackmore Wagyu burger and a beer or glass of wine for just $20 per person this Good Food Month. Available in the bar only. No booking required.
Yagiz | Friday Long Lunch | 12pm – 3pm, Fridays throughout June | $45
Celebrate the end of the working week with Yagiz this Good Food Month. Every Friday during the month of June, enjoy the progressive cuisine at Yagiz with a three-course Turkish lunch and a glass of Turkish wine for just $45 per person.
