For some reason, Melbourne's come up with a whole slew of food festivals to ease us into winter (not that we're complaining). Conveniently, all the events are based on our favourite comfort foods: cheese, chocolate, pasta (and carbs in many forms), and wine. We highly recommend leaving room in your diary for these four shit-hot events because you're going to experience a serious case of FOMO if you miss them.
Wine and Cheese Fest (April 10)
Wrap yourself in a blanket of cheese and wine as Daylight Savings ends and the days get cooler. The Wine and Cheese Fest, presented by Naked Wines, will be bringing Melburnians the best gourmet cheeses and wines at North Melbourne's Meat Market. One of the festival's main attractions is the Grace Stomp Comp, where punters can see if they've got what it takes to stomp the most grape juice with bare feet. Reward yourself for all that hard work with cheeses from Australia's best cheesemakers and small goods producers.
Wine and Chocolate Festival (April 30)
You know what they say, a glass of vino and a bit of chocolate is actually good for you, so would it be fair to say at the Wine and Chocolate Festival in Williamstown is a health food event? Regardless of the health benefits of chocolate and wine, you will be able to sample gorge yourself on wines from some of Australia's best producers, as well as high-quality chocolates in their many forms, from bars to gooey melted chocolate. Treat yourself.
Wicked Chocolate Festival at Prahran Market (May 7)
Your taste buds will thank you for this one. Prahran Market's Wicked Chocolate Festival will bring chocolate lovers the best of the sweet stuff from Melbourne's favourite dessert experts. Head to the Market Square and the Pop-Up Chocolate Precinct on the mezzanine level for treats from Burch and Purchese, Bibelot, Fritz Gelato, Doughboys Doughnuts, Butterbing, Pana Chocolate, A25 Pizzeria and Professeur Crepe. Thirsty? The Chapel St Cellars Chocolate Bar will be making chocolate-inspired cocktails.
Italian Wine and Food Festival (May 29)
Make like Sophia Loren and eat all the saucy pasta and drink all the wine at the Italian Food and Wine Festival. Punters will be treated to the best parts of Italian comfort food. Eat your fill of pizza slices from Melbourne favourites DOC and 400 Gradi, who will be joined by Kyneton's La Bonta and Melbourne classic Caterina's Cucina.
Now, excuse us while we plan our calendars...
