The unmissable tastes at the 2018 Royal Melbourne Show
FROM pop-ups of some of Melbourne’s best restaurants, masterclasses by chefs, samples of award-winning fare from some of the state’s finest producers, this year’s show is a feast of food with something for all tastes.
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HELD for 160 years, it’s Victoria’s biggest annual community event — attracting half a million people over its 11 days — where the state celebrates all that’s great about our local farms and farmers.
Of course, the Royal Melbourne Show is also about fun and, importantly, food.
Kicking off on Saturday and running through to October 2, this year’s show has a heap of hands-on activities for the whole family — perhaps milk a cow or try shearing a sheep — as well as a heap of great things to eat.
From pop-ups of some of Melbourne’s best restaurants, masterclasses by chefs, samples of award-winning fare from some of the state’s finest producers — as well as the odd fairy floss stick and Dagwood dog — this year’s show is a feast of food with something for all tastes.
But where to start? Here’s our guide to a day’s great eating.
ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW GUIDE 2018
10AM
As the gates open make a beeline for Dane’s Coffee Bar for an award-winning caffeine hit.
At the Winning Tastes Pavilion — located on the MasterChef set — each day a different selection of beans from the Australian International Coffee Awards will be offered.
Make it a “magic” start to the day.
11AM
For the first time, Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food will host a variety of cooking masterclasses for both kids and adults.
Learn how to make meals from scratch that are delicious and nutritious.
The classes (limited to 50 people) are held at 11.50am and 12.30pm daily at the Winning Tastes Stage.
NOON
For lunch, head to the Winning Tastes Courtyard for a bite and a drink.
Grab a classic Royale with Cheese or Pony Boy for the kids and some special loaded fries from The Royale Brothers, indulge in Big Earle’s delicious brisket or pork barbecue, or enjoy some finger lickin’ fare at Willy’s Fried Chicken.
For a poke rice bowl, pork gyoza or fabulous fresh fish, Hiro Sushi Bar has it covered.
The brew bar will be serving some of the country’s best craft beers that featured in the Australian International Beer Awards.
Try a brew from Two Birds Brewing, Australia’s first female-owned brewery, or go straight for the Boatrocker Brewing Co.’s signature pale ale.
Other medal and trophy winners on rotating taps will include Bright Brewery, Wolf of the Willows and Kaiju! Beer.
1PM
The Arena Bar is a great place to sit back, relax and view the amazing entertainment from the Herald Sun Arena.
A range of tasty treats and tipples are on offer to enjoy while soaking up the sunshine and the arena shows that includes the monster truck and freestyle motocross stunt shows at 1.15pm daily.
2PM
The new delicatessen area within the Winning Tastes Pavilion is a culinary experience for food lovers.
Sure to be a hit is That’s Amore Cheese’s Spaghetti 4 Formaggi — pasta in a four-cheese sauce tossed in a 40kg grana padano cheese wheel — or treat yourself to the Delicatessen’s range of award-winning charcuterie and cheese, that’s also available to buy for home.
3PM
Afternoon tea time and the best place to be is the Country Women’s Association Kitchen for one of their famous scones with strawberry jam and cream.
The CWA ladies have delighted show visitors with their delicious scones for more than 70 years and will bake more than 15,000 during this year’s event.
Pick up a limited-edition CWA showbag at the cafe under the Public Grandstand while you’re there.
4PM
You can find cool cocktails and other delicious creations from Australia’s best distilleries at the High Spirits Cocktail Bar in the Winning Tastes Pavilion.
Try a wee dram from distilleries including Old Young’s, Anther Spirits, Beenleigh Artisan Distillery, Animus, Marionette and Here’s Looking at You as they rotate through the bar over the 11 days of the show.
5PM
The Woolworths Fresh Food Pavilion is the place to get you through to dinner.
Whether you’re craving a curry (Shiva Indian) or the perfect paella (Melbourne Paella), authentic Neapolitan pizza (Scoozi) or an icy cool creation (Fritz Gelato), this pavilion has the lot.
Grab a cheeseburger pie from Petey Pie Bakery, a baked potato from the Soup and Spud Bar or smashed avo on toast at All Things Avo.
6PM
Head to The Meadow, the show’s newest premium food and drink precinct, to watch the sunset and nightly entertainment while hopping into tucker from some of Melbourne best eateries.
Mamasita will be serving their traditional tacos — the crumbed fish with squid ink mayo is a winner — or a try “kbab” from Shane Delia’s Biggie Smalls — the C.
Wallace falafel kebab with smoked hummus is a veg-tastic win, though the Juicy OG with grilled beef and American cheese gets the popular vote.
It’s the perfect place to chill out on the lawn, play some games and relax with some smooth tunes from acoustic acts and DJs.
7PM
After dinner there is only one place to be — the pop-up dessert and coffee bar in the Winning Taste Pavilion.
Christy Tania will serve her delectable desserts at the Glace pop-up from Saturday until Thursday (September 27), while patissier Pierrick Boyer will be showcasing his sweetest creations from September 28-October 2.
7.30PM
Return to The Meadow and enjoy a salted caramel espresso martini from Melbourne Martini or a glass of pinot noir from the 6Ft6 caravan and watch the sky come alive with the nightly fireworks spectacular and say cheers to another great day
at the show.
The Royal Melbourne Show runs from Saturday, September 22 until October 2.
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