Viral sensation is coming to town with 1600 invited
Making its southern hemisphere debut at the 2026 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, which also features an epic Greek feast and acts with local favorites Iain “Huey” Hewitson and Helen Goh.
When the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival returns next year, days of baked goods, a Greek banquet for 1,600 people and dozens of international chefs will take over the state. The event, which runs from 20-29 March, will cover 200 events across Melbourne and the Victoria region.
What led to the tampon program was its first launch in the southern hemisphere. Cake PicnicWhat started as a cake swap for 15 people in San Francisco but turned into a viral sensation, with wildly successful events attended by thousands across the US and London. The premise is simple: “No cake, no entry.” Buy a ticket, bake a cake and whet everyone’s appetite for your creations.
“It will be big, it will be fun,” says Pat Nourse, the festival’s creative director, about the picnic taking place at Kings Domain, which has space for 1600 people. “The last few events have sold out in seconds.”
Staying sweet, another headline act Helen GohMelbourne-raised pastry chef and long-time collaborator of Yotam Ottolenghi. Goh will not only host a one-off three-course lunch, but will also contribute sweet treats. Baker’s DozenVictoria’s best’s cake bigger than Ben-Hur sale is back for the fourth year. There will be a hot cross bun bar with “buttered butlers” and guest bakers from interstate.
Flagship The World’s Longest LunchIt will be Greek in 2026, also at Kings Domain. [Melbourne’s] The Greek scene,” says Nourse. By assembling teams from groundbreaking restaurants, “we’re surfing that wave.” cafeneion in CBD and Tzaki in Yarraville, also chef and writer Ella Mittaseach to cook a meal.
Meanwhile, the iconic chef and TV presenter Iain “Huey” Hewitson influential Collingwood to revive fine dining restaurant Cliche More than 40 years later with a pop-up at Carlton’s Bistra.
Some of the hottest tickets of the festival Global Food SeriesAttracting internationally renowned chefs to Melbourne. Idyllic French farmhouse restaurant Le Doyenne Led by Australian chef James Henry Brae. And one of New York City’s most talked about new restaurants, bridgesBrings Parisian and Basque styles to Türkiye Cutter.
Other highlights include the First Nations food and cultural center stage. Proud Bundjalung woman Mindy ForestThe restaurant recently received the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Champion of Change Award. Residence In Parkville, Larrakia man (and former AFL player) Daniel Motlop Bringing the best of the local food business something wild with YiagaVue de Monde is chef Hugh Allen’s new Australian fine dining restaurant. Samoan chef championing lesser-seen cuisine in Melbourne Henry OnesemoWhere contemporary Auckland eatery Tala resides stokehouse.
Big-ticket events are just the tip of the iceberg for a food festival that Nourse estimates will attract 65,000 punters. Leave your wallet at home Korean Fried Chicken Festival And Something Spoiled: Pizza Partywill offer 1000 items, each bearing its name, for free. The Spicy Side of Collins Street It’s the Collingwood retailer’s two-day celebration of hot sauce Mat’s Hot Storeand will host a hot brunch and lunch in the CBD.
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival will run from 20 to 29 March 2026. Subscription pre-sale starts today at 10am; General tickets will be available starting at 10:00 on Thursday, November 27.
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