More than 1,800 diners savoured their spot at the World's Longest Lunch in Treasury Gardens today, as part of the iconic Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
The festival - backed by the Andrews Labor Government - runs until 2 April, with the World's Longest Brunch taking place in Treasury Gardens tomorrow and more than 200 events set to draw around 70,000 visitors into Melbourne for a range of free and ticketed experiences.
The festival celebrates Victoria's dynamic hospitality industry and helps position Melbourne as one of the best dining destinations in the world.
Now in its 31st year, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival has been a mainstay of the city's events calendar, attracting food lovers from around the country for more than three decades.
More than 200 Victorian hospitality businesses are featured in the 2023 program, providing a boost to business across the city and supporting local jobs.
Visitors can head to Federation Square for a weekend of events on 1-2 April featuring a retail pop-up, food events, music and entertainment, and free cooking demonstrations.
The Fed Square program features a celebration of Melbourne's finest bakers and pâtissiers at the Baker's Dozen, a celeb-inspired sausage sizzle at Celebrity Sausage, and The Festival Bar.
In addition to showcasing local talent, the festival has a great tradition of hosting the biggest international food names with this year's program featuring chefs from Kyoto, London and New York, including Melbourne's own Curtis Stone.
Visitors to the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival can enjoy a feast of activity in the city in autumn with the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, & Juliet the musical, Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the return of the AFL season.
As stated by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
"The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival celebrates what Melbourne does best - great hospitality and great events."
"We back the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival because it brings thousands of visitors into the city, while also supporting local businesses and jobs.
As stated by Melbourne Food and Wine Festival CEO Anthea Loucas Bosha
"The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is an essential proof-point of the international standing of Victoria's food and drink offer."
"It's a locus for visitation and storytelling driven by the quality, diversity, depth and richness of the state's restaurants, cafés, bars, brewing, winemaking and distilling."
