RETURN OF THE MELBOURNE FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

After two years of Covid delays, cancellations and change-ups, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (MFWF) is finally back in full swing and has pulled out all the stops for its 30th birthday. While many events sold out within days of tickets going on sale (a sign of the pent-up demand for one of Melbourne’s bestloved festivals), there are still plenty of delicious ways to enjoy the festivities, which run until April 9.

Maximum Chips at Queen Victoria Market is set to be a celebration of the loveable fried potato; while The Big Spaghetti will see the state’s finest pasta peddlers take over the Queen Victoria Market’s cavernous E Shed.

The Convenient Store is a free-to-visit ode to globally loved corner stores, be it Japanese konbini,

Brooklyn bodegas and Berlin’s spätis. Taking visual cues from across the world, the pop-up shop will feature some luxe local tweaks including tarts and pastries from bakeries Falco and Monforte (and hot cross buns from To Be Frank); Pie Thief dim sim sausage rolls; Chappy’s chips with Yarra Valley Caviar; MoVida smoked tomato sorbet and more.

Finally, High Steaks is a new Friday lunch series which, in the words of MFWF creative director Pat Nourse, is “all about Martinis, steaks, and not going back to work”. The series will take place at some of Melbourne’s best-loved eateries, including Bar Lourinhã, Epocha, Prince Dining Room, Carlton North’s La Luna, Bar Margaux, Chancery Lane and Society. melbournefoodandwine.com.au