Top chefs join forces for Beechworth’s Swings and Roundabouts food festival
After a disastrous summer of fires, famed Beechworth chef Michael Ryan has called on his friends — including Attica’s Ben Shewry — to provide a much-needed boost to Victoria’s northeast with a new food festival.
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Beechworth chef Michael Ryan got tired of worrying about the impact of bushfires on his award-winning restaurant Provenance and the local growers who supply him.
So he called on his friends for help, and created a new food festival.
This autumn, Melbourne’s best chefs — including Attica’s Ben Shewry — will cook a series of one-off lunches and dinners in Beechworth and Bright.
Every one of the top-name chefs will be creating meals with northeast Victoria’s finest produce and wine, injecting cash into a region crippled by fire.
“It’s still been a very tough summer for a lot of people up here,” Ryan says.
“We’ve got wineries scrapping whole vintages because of smoke taint, and producers struggling to sell their produce.
“Our friends in Melbourne want to help, so we’re giving them something to do.”
Ryan worked with Melbourne restaurateur Peter Bartholomew and Lee Ho Fook owner/chef Victor Liong to come up with an impressive list of culinary stars.
Attica’s Ben Shewry will kick things off with a six-course collaboration dinner with Ryan at Provenance Restaurant on Friday, April 17.
Embla’s rock star chef David Verheul will cook with Carlton Wine Room’s John Paul (JP) Twomey on Sunday, April 19, while Sunda’s Khanh Nguyen and Bar Saracen’s Tom Sarafian will join forces on Sunday, May 3 for lunch and Monday, May 4 for dinner.
Oakridge co-executive chef Matt Stone will pair up with Leonardo’s Nick Stanton to create Sunday lunch on May 10.
Peter Gunn (Ides), Zackery Furst (Bar Liberty) will join forces at two events, for lunch on Sunday, May 17 and dinner on Monday, May 18.
On May 24, MoVida’s legendary Frank Camorra and Lee Ho Fook’s Liong will lock horns in a rice cooking challenge in what promises to be a colourful lunch on Sunday, May 24.
And on the evening of May 24, Anchovy’s Thi Le will join Stokehouse pastry chef Lauren Eldridge and Adelaide chef Emma McCaskill of Sparkke at the Whitmore to create a special dinner.
The final event will be a masterclass cooking demonstration at Beechworth Honey Shop on Monday, May 25.
Ryan hopes the event will become an annual celebration of the region’s food and wine.
For more information and bookings, call Michael Ryan at Provenance on (03) 5728 1786.
See the Swings and Roundabouts Festival program.
OTHER HIGH COUNTRY FESTIVALS TO PUT IN YOUR DIARY
HIGH COUNTRY HOPS
March 28-29, Bridge Road Brewers, Beechworth
Nine brewers on the High Country Brewing Trail converge in Beechworth for the annual hops festival, a celebration of the latest harvest from the nearby Rostrevor Hop Gardens.
Taste the season’s freshest new beers, straight from the source, along with goodies from winemakers, distillers and local food vendors.
MOUNT BEAUTY MUSIC FESTIVAL
April 24-26
Brought to you by a dedicated group of Mount Beauty volunteers, this grassroots music festival celebrates young talent and up-and-coming artists with a full weekend of family friendly entertainment.
More than 30 artists will perform this year — all at venues within walking distance — with roving artists and buskers, a designated kids’ area, plenty of local food and craft markets.
FEAST ON EAST
June 7, Metung Village Green
Taste the best of East Gippsland’s food and wine in the coastal town of Metung on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
Grab your favourite nibbles, listen to live music and enjoy the spectacular view across Bancroft Bay.
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EAST GIPPSLAND WINTER FESTIVAL
June 20-July 2
Planning is under way for a winter festival celebrating art, food, culture, nature and the Winter Solstice in East Gippsland.
Art installations and lighting displays will fill the long winter nights, while local venues will stage special winter feasts featuring the region’s incredible food and wine.
The entire region will be involved, with events in Bairnsdale, Paynesville, Metung, Lakes Entrance, Bruthen, Ensay, Swifts Creek, Omeo, Buchan, Nowa Nowa, Orbost, Marlo and Mallacoota. Stay tuned to visiteastgippsland.com.au
Originally published as Top chefs join forces for Beechworth’s Swings and Roundabouts food festival