Melbourne VIP: Weddings, announcements and events with Fiona Byrne

MasterChef winner Larissa Takchi found the right recipe for love when she married childhood sweetheart Luke Dominello.

MasterChef 2019 winner Larissa Takchi wed Luke Dominello in March 2021. Picture: Blumenthal Photography.

MasterChef winner Larissa Takchi had the perfect recipe for love when she wed her childhood sweetheart Luke Dominello in a day that celebrated not only their romance but the importance of family.

Larissa, who was crowned winner of MasterChef Australia in 2019, and Luke, a flower importer for Belflora, met on the school bus when they lived on the same street while growing up.

Their relationship blossomed and the couple exchanged vows in an intimate and meaningful service at St Benedict’s Chapel in Arcadia in New South Wales in March.

“This little chapel is nestled among our local bush land. It’s where Luke’s parents

were married,” Larissa, 24, said.

“The Chapel felt very sacred on the day, as both parents walked me down the aisle with candles and flowers tracing our every step.”

Larissa Takchi wed Luke Dominello at St Benedict’s Chapel in Arcadia with their reception at Le Montage, Lilyfield. Picture: Blumenthal Photography

Larissa chose a stunning, delicately fringed gown by Jess Andreatta. Picture: Blumenthal Photography

Larissa and Luke, a flower importer for Belflora, met on the school bus when they lived on the same street while growing up. Picture: Blumenthal Photography

The couple exchanged vows in the same bush chapel Luke’s parents were married in. Picture: Blumenthal Photography

Larissa “knew it was fate” when she discovered the name of the gown she loved was “Luca”, her husband’s name in Italian. Picture: Blumenthal Photography

Family played a huge role in the wedding, with Larissa’s mum and Aunty Adele doing most of the planning. Picture: Blumenthal Photography.

Larissa chose a stunning delicately fringed gown by bridal couturier Jess Andreatta.

“I was never interested in the big white wedding dress, they always reminded me of cupcakes for some reason,” Larissa said.

“I wanted something different. I always believe the dress reflects the bride so for me it was going to be something young and fun and a little quirky.

“I knew it was fate when asked what the dress was called, to which she responded “Luca” which is my husband’s name in Italian.”

The couple’s reception was held at Le Montage in Lilyfield and not surprisingly the menu offerings for guests was stunning.

“My mum and Aunty Adele honestly planned our entire wedding,” Larissa said.

“We had live cooking stations creating delicious food such as burrata, spaghetti aglio

olio, fried zucchini flowers and so much more.

“Luke and I walked into this little food market they created without us knowing a single thing

about it. It was honestly the greatest and most delicious surprise.

“Next to winning MasterChef, it was honestly the best day of my life.”

Larissa and Luke’s wedding photography was by Blumenthal Photography, videography was by Tree Life Productions, flowers were by Floriale, Jacob Hackley was the MC, styling was by Bling and the wedding vehicles were from Royalty Wedding Cars.

Next to winning MasterChef, the bush wedding was the best day of Larissa’s life. Picture: Blumenthal Photography

VCCI GRAND PRIX BREAKFAST — CBD

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s annual Grand Prix Breakfast took a slightly different form this year, lookingat the F1 season rather than being held during the Australian Grand Prix.

Ian Holmes, Formula 1 director of media rights and executive producer of the Netflix series Formula 1: Drive to Survive, AndrewWestacott, Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO, and Supercars legend Mark Skaife were the guest speakers at the event heldat Zinc at Federation Square. Among the attendees were Paul Guerra, Mark Stone, Karyn Sobels and Jacqueline Felgate.

Jacqueline Felgate and Paul Guerra. Picture: Fiona Byrne/Supplied

Mark Skaife and Andrew Westacott at the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Grand Prix Breakfast.. Picture: Fiona Byrne/Supplied

Mark Stone, Glenn Smith, Brendan Britten and Geoff Smith. Picture: Fiona Byrne/Supplied

Scott Veenker, Karyn Sobels and Clare Amies Picture: Fiona Byrne/Supplied

MOTHER’S DAY CLASSIC MEDIA LAUNCH - SOUTHGATE

A morning with pampered pooches followed by brunch at The Langham was a most stylish way to launch the 2021 Mother’s Day Classic.The Mother’s Day Classic, which raises funds for breast cancer research, is going local this year with more than 100 locationsaround Australia, including The Tan, Princess Park and Docklands Park in Melbourne, hosting the fun run or walk on Sunday, May 9.

Participants are encouraged to bring their dog with them on their walk or run this year to add to the fun. Guests at the launchincluded Laura Henshaw, Olivia Rogers, Bianca Chatfield, Jo Stanley, Lara Shannon, Livinia Nixon, and Alicia Loxley.

Register at: mothersdayclassic.com.au.

Susanne Novak and Kym Curtis at the launch of the Mother's Day Classic at The Langham. Picture: Darren McNamara

Peter Hitchener and Alicia Loxley at the launch on Wednesday. Picture: Darren McNamara

Laura Henshaw with her dog Bill at the launch of the Mother's Day Classic at The Langham. Picture: Darren McNamara

Olivia Rogers with her dog Ziggy. Picture: Darren McNamara

BALL MAGNETS APP LAUNCH - MCG

First off, kudos to the event organisers for deciding to launch a footy training app at the MCG. Wednesday afternoon saw thelaunch of Ball Magnets, a training app designed to improve users AFL skills and fitness with programs, tips and insights fromsome the likes of Tom Mitchell, Lachie Neale, Patrick Cripps and Erin Phillips. Attending the launch on the hallowed groundsof ‘The G’ were Jaeger O’Meara, Taylor Adams, Sophie Cachia and Maddie Garrick, Steven and Michelle Greene, Jack Scrimshaw,Jack Watts, Changwoth Jiath and Adam Densten.

Steve and Michelle Greene with their children Beau and Leila. Picture: Michael Dodge

Patrick Cripps and Tom Mitchell at the Ball Magnets launch on April 28. Picture: Michael Dodge

Will Day and Changkuoth Jiath at the launch at MCGPicture: Michael Dodge

Maddie Garrick and Sophie Cachia with Florence and Bobby at the Ball Magnets launch Picture: Michael Dodge

OLD BEIJING RESTAURANT LAUNCH - CBD

Traditional Chinese dancing lions and perfect Peking Duck were just two memorable moments from the celebration on Thursdayevening to officially open the Old Beijing restaurant at QV in the Melbourne CBD. Old Beijing is the latest culinary venturefor David Loh and Louis Kuo who also operate Shanghai Red at Chadstone. Old Beijing is staking a claim as the home of thebest Peking Duck in Melbourne. Guests included Lee Chan, Sharon Johal, Lucia Hou, Shiva Singam, Christina Chia and Emily Lee.The lion dance featuring three lions was fabulous and brought the busy QV Square area to a standstill.

Pip Bilby and Phoebe Chakar at the Old Beijing opening

Susie Mclean and Glenn Zeeuwe

Louis Kuo and David Loh, owners Old Beijing

Madeleine Beth and Rueben Heenan

OVOLO HOTEL LAUNCH - SOUTH YARRA

This hotel, an explosion of retro chic, has fun written all over it. There was no missing the fact that this was a launchparty, with the emphasis on party, for the Ovolo Hotel in Toorak Road on Wednesday evening. Cocktails, caviar and good timeswere on the menu for guests including Michael Klim, Trent Knox, Pettifleur Berenger and a horde of influencers.

Michael Klim & Michelle Owen at the launch of the Ovolo Hotel in South Yarra. Picture: Supplied

Brooke McAuley & Brenton Perry at the launch of the Ovolo Hotel in South Yarra. Picture: Supplied

Pettifleur Berenger at the launch of the Ovolo Hotel in South Yarra. Picture: Supplied

Effie Kats & Diana Chan at the launch of the Ovolo Hotel in South Yarra. Picture: Supplied

SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL OPENING - ST KILDA

If there was ever a time to genuinely appreciate seeing films in a cinema and enjoying a movie experience, now is it. Addingto the choice of films currently on offer in theatres is the Spanish Film Festival which is being held at Palace Cinemas acrossMelbourne until May 9. The festival opened with a gala screening of Rosa’s Kitchen at The Astor in St Kilda with guests includingElysia Zeccola, Simon Palomares, Ben Zeccola and Sarah Finney.

The festival consists of 20 feature films from Spain together with nine films from across Latin America including Argentina,Chile, Cuba, Mexico and Uruguay.

Elysia Zeccola and Ben Zeccola Picture: Supplied

Lucy Byrne and Renato Fonti Picture: Supplied

Simon Palomares and Therese Mavros Picture: Supplied

Daniel Cotoli Gomez and Alejandro Riesco Corros Picture: Supplied