What do you get when you cross cheese with high tea? You get High Cheese – an indulgent cheese-centric experience returning to the Westin Melbourne for its third year.
Taking over the hotel’s Allegro Restaurant from May 26 to October 17, this ever-popular event sees executive chef Apoorva Kunte joining forces with Richmond specialty cheese shop Supercheese, plus Punt Road Wines for a celebration of cheese and wine.
High Cheese gives your traditional high tea a delicious spin with a three-tiered menu that shines the spotlight on cheese. Think sweet and savoury bites with expertly paired wines – all designed to showcase the versatility of great (or should we say, ‘grate’?) fromage. It’s a brie-lliant excuse to spend an afternoon grazing.
Supercheese owner Jeremy Spradbery has selected cheeses for their quality, provenance and personality, drawing from niche local and international producers. Guests will move through a progression of creations by chef Kunte, including a shared centrepiece and a final sweet offering, paired with a glass of Punt Road wine.
“Supercheese has an incredible eye for producers with real character,” says Kunte. “For us, it’s about showcasing cheese in a way that feels elevated, unexpected and true to the ingredient.”
To keep things fresh, the experience will evolve mid-season with a refreshed menu launching in August – which gives you a gouda reason to return.
High Cheese at Allegro Restaurant is available every Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm onwards...
PSA: There's only one month of winter left! We repeat, one month of winter left! To help you get through these final chilly weeks, we've rounded up a list of all the fun events, exhibitions, festivals and more happening across August. You're welcome!
It's the most wonderful time of the year for local cinephiles, because the Melbourne International Film Festival is back. Opening on August 6 with the Australian premiere of Wicker (starring Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård), it will run in cinemas across the city until August 23. Check out our round-up of the ten best films to see here.
Also returning is Now or Never, Melbourne's winter festival of art, ideas, sound and technology. This year's bold program features everything from an overnight sleep concert at the Royal Exhibition Building to large-scale installations and hypnotic dance concerts.
On the foodie front, the annual Hot Chocolate Festival is on now until the end of the month, with 31 limited-edition flavours available to try – including a delicious take on the viral dot cake trend.
The city's stages are also booked and busy this month. Over at the Princess Theatre is A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, while Her Majesty's Theatre will play host to Death of a Salesman starring Anthony LaPaglia. Pretty Woman is on at the Regent Theatre, Uncle Vanya at Arts Centre Melbourne and Steel Magnolias at the Athenaeum – phew!
Plus, art lovers are in for a treat when the Affordable Art Fair rolls into town – pieces start at just $100, so there's something for everyone.
But if you want to fully lean into the winter vibes, be sure to also try these hot chocolates and mulled wines, or get cosy at one of Melbourne's best pubs with fireplaces.
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