Italy vs France in Truffle World Cup lunch at Mister Bianco
Diners will swap their stilettos for gumboots when a Kew restaurant opens a pop-up truffle farm for a week of special events celebrating the exotic fungus. Here’s how you can join the hunt for black gold.
Inner East
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner East. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The inspiration for Joseph Vargetto’s latest menu didn’t come from recipe books.
Instead the Mister Bianco owner turned to iconic fashion house Chanel to feed his creativity.
“I follow Chanel on Instagram and they create such incredible events,” Mr Vargetto said.
“I wanted to do something different for truffle season this year and when I saw how Chanel had transformed venues I was inspired.
“I stood in our Green House dining room and imagined what it would be like if we created a truffiere there.”
He shared his vision with Truffle Queen Rachel Truscott and his truffle supplier — Robert Utter from Buxton Truffles — and the idea started to take shape.
“Robert is going to bring small trees, branches, moss and dirt to help us create an authentic setting,” Mr Vargetto said.
“There will even be truffles and a truffle dog so we can show people how a real truffle hunt works.”
Ms Truscott will also be on hand to talk about the mysterious fungi at a series of a la carte dinners beginning Monday, August 5.
Diners will enjoy a truffle-focused menu and can also book a session in the truffiere between 7-9pm.
“They will be able to buy the truffle that is found during their hunt,” Mr Vargetto said.
Not satisfied with hosting the dinners Mr Vargetto has also arranged a Il Finale Truffle Dinner on Tuesday, August 6.
MORE NEWS
TRUFFLE MELBOURNE: A WINTER CELEBRATION
WHO HAS THE BEST BURGERS IN TOWN?
JAPANESE DESSERT SHOP TO OPEN IN MELBOURNE
Guests can experience the truffle farm and enjoy a five course degustation with matching wines while being serenaded by an opera singer.
He is also teaming up with his former boss Phillipe Mouchel for a classic cook-off on Thursday, August 8.
The pair will prepare tastes of truffle from France and Italy in a Truffle World Cup Lunch.
Guests will taste both and vote for their favourite.
“It’s a fun way for us to cook together again and showcase the different styles of cooking with truffles,” Mr Vargetto said.
The final event will be a family-style truffle lunch on Sunday, August 11 with a menu of antipasto, truffle pasta and risotto, truffle infused porchetta and truffle cannoli for dessert.
Bookings: misterbianco.com.au
Alarm over attempted child abduction at Brighton East footy oval
A junior footy league is warning to parents to be “extra vigilant” following reports of a young boy allegedly being approached by a man.
Melbourne man allegedly funded China-bound reptile trafficking
A Box Hill man has faced court accused of being a money mule for a criminal network allegedly sending native reptiles from eastern Australian states to China.