The Stage
Visitors can wander over to The Stage, hosted by Melbourne food icons Dani Valent and Hilary McNevin, for a series of free demonstrations, wine matching, and tastings – aka a total foodie heaven!
Be immersed in a realm of epicurean perfection, where you can taste samples from the stage, nerd out, indulge the senses, and elevate your palates to new heights. Seating is limited, so arrive early to secure your spot. See the full stage program below.
Schedule
The Magic of Fermentation
12pm
Join fermentation expert Sharon Flynn from The Fermentary to learn about the magic of milk kefir, one of the best natural gut lovers and nurturers we have.
Explore different ways of using kefir to create cultured butter, labneh, and naturally fizzy and gut-loving kefir whey soda. Sharon will show us how to incorporate this powerful living culture into our daily routines and how to get it into the guts of people we love.
For the Love of Cheese
1pm
Join Giorgio Linguanti from That’s Amore Cheese and Chef Dario Di Clerico from Cannoleria for a show-stopping demonstration of how mozzarella cheese is made from scratch. Learn all about what goes into producing exquisite cheeses using traditional methods and discover the versatility of Italian cheeses to create beautiful dishes.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to try the freshest mozzarella you’ve ever had, straight from the kitchen bench. Buon appetito!
A Taste of Spain
2pm
Join MoVida’s Head Chef Kane Vokoun for a celebration of Spanish producers. Kane will show us how to prepare authentic Spanish tapas dishes using ingredients that represent the unique landscapes behind the produce and the diverse histories of those places.
From guindilla peppers to anchovies, experience the real flavour of Spain, from farm to sea.
Flavour Explosion
3pm
Dial up the killer flavour and join chef Sandra Seah, the mastermind behind Six-Eyed Scorpion crispy chilli oil, to learn how you can elevate and add a new dimension to your meals.
Sandra will show us how to create three different dishes using fresh ingredients with an added twist to create something truly spectacular and a little bit unexpected.
If you’re looking for fun and fresh ideas for the kitchen, this is the session for you.
Melbourne Cult Tarts
4pm
Learn how to create showstopping tarts with tart master Gareth Whitton, founder of Tarts Anon and winner of ‘Dessert Masters’. Gareth will share his tips and tricks on how to create the perfect tart at home, from beloved classics to modern creations.
Whether you have a sweet tooth or looking for an exceptional savoury snack, tarts are both the perfect end to a meal and a meal in their own right.
The Ultimate Cheeseboard
5pm
Join The Little Food Market’s resident cheesemonger, Jeremy Spradbery from Supercheese, for a guide on creating the ultimate cheeseboard. Jeremy will share his expert insights on selecting cheese, textures, and pairings, and chat about all the lovely things that go with cheese, including wines, specialty breads, crackers, and condiments.
He will also delve into the wonders of cave-aged Gorgonzola, offering tips on how to incorporate this unique cheese into your cheeseboard. Don’t miss out on this chance to learn from a true expert and elevate your cheeseboard game!
The Little Cellar Door
6pm
Join winemakers Alexia Roberts from Larnook Wines (McLaren Vale), Elika Rowell from Jamsheed (Melbourne) and Tony Layton from St Hubert’s (Yarra Valley) for a guided winetasting and a chat to learn what they’re currently most excited about in the world of wine.
From grape varietals to innovative winemaking techniques, don't miss out on the chance to sip and savour exceptional wines from some of the finest regions in the world. Experience the unique flavours and stories behind each bottle and discover what makes these wines truly special.
Redefining Delicious
7pm
Join Melbourne food truck pioneer Raph Rashid as he launches his highly anticipated Taco Truck Almond Chile Oil. This Chile Oil, a fan favourite at his famous taco truck, is now available for you to enjoy at home.
Raph will show us how to use this prized condiment to create a winter warmer green soup, packed with texture and complexity, yet easy to make in your own kitchen. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of Melbourne's most innovative culinary minds and redefine what delicious means in your home cooking.
World-class Cocktail Hour
8pm
Ready to step up your cocktail game? Orlando Marzo, winner of the Best Bartender In The World award and the creator of Loro bottled cocktails, will teach us how to make unique and refined cocktails at home.
Using the finest ingredients and exploring different flavour profiles, Orlando will share tips and tricks to help you mix the best drinks for your next dinner party.
Schedule
The Magic of Fermentation
11am
Join fermentation expert Sharon Flynn from The Fermentary to learn about the magic of milk kefir, one of the best natural gut lovers and nurturers we have.
Explore different ways of using kefir to create cultured butter, labneh, and naturally fizzy and gut-loving kefir whey soda. Sharon will show us how to incorporate this powerful living culture into our daily routines and how to get it into the guts of people we love.
Redefining Delicious
12pm
Join Melbourne food truck pioneer Raph Rashid as he launches his highly anticipated Taco Truck Almond Chile Oil. This Chile Oil, a fan favourite at his famous taco truck, is now available for you to enjoy at home.
Raph will show us how to use this prized condiment to create a winter warmer green soup, packed with texture and complexity, yet easy to make in your own kitchen. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of Melbourne's most innovative culinary minds and redefine what delicious means in your home cooking.
A Taste of Spain
1pm
Join MoVida’s Head Chef Kane Vokoun for a celebration of Spanish producers. Kane will show us how to prepare authentic Spanish tapas dishes using ingredients that represent the unique landscapes behind the produce and the diverse histories of those places.
From guindilla peppers to anchovies, experience the real flavour of Spain, from farm to sea.
Flavour Explosion
2pm
Dial up the killer flavour and join chef Sandra Seah, the mastermind behind Six-Eyed Scorpion crispy chilli oil, to learn how you can elevate and add a new dimension to your meals.
Sandra will show us how to create three different dishes using fresh ingredients with an added twist to create something truly spectacular and a little bit unexpected.
If you’re looking for fun and fresh ideas for the kitchen, this is the session for you.
Melbourne Cult Tarts
3pm
Learn how to create showstopping tarts with tart master Gareth Whitton, founder of Tarts Anon and winner of ‘Dessert Masters’. Gareth will share his tips and tricks on how to create the perfect tart at home, from beloved classics to modern creations.
Whether you have a sweet tooth or looking for an exceptional savoury snack, tarts are both the perfect end to a meal and a meal in their own right.
The Little Cellar Door
4pm
Join winemakers Alexia Roberts from Larnook Wines (McLaren Vale), Elika Rowell from Jamsheed (Melbourne) and Tony Layton from St Hubert’s (Yarra Valley) for a guided winetasting and a chat to learn what they’re currently most excited about in the world of wine.
From grape varietals to innovative winemaking techniques, don't miss out on the chance to sip and savour exceptional wines from some of the finest regions in the world. Experience the unique flavours and stories behind each bottle and discover what makes these wines truly special.
The Ultimate Cheeseboard
5pm
Join The Little Food Market’s resident cheesemonger, Jeremy Spradbery from Supercheese, for a guide on creating the ultimate cheeseboard. Jeremy will share his expert insights on selecting cheese, textures, and pairings, and chat about all the lovely things that go with cheese, including wines, specialty breads, crackers, and condiments.
He will also delve into the wonders of cave-aged Gorgonzola, offering tips on how to incorporate this unique cheese into your cheeseboard. Don’t miss out on this chance to learn from a true expert and elevate your cheeseboard game!
World-class Cocktail Hour
6pm
Ready to step up your cocktail game? Orlando Marzo, winner of the Best Bartender In The World award and the creator of Loro bottled cocktails, will teach us how to make unique and refined cocktails at home.
Using the finest ingredients and exploring different flavour profiles, Orlando will share tips and tricks to help you mix the best drinks for your next dinner party.
Schedule
The Magic of Fermentation
11am
Join fermentation expert Sharon Flynn from The Fermentary to learn about the magic of milk kefir, one of the best natural gut lovers and nurturers we have.
Explore different ways of using kefir to create cultured butter, labneh, and naturally fizzy and gut-loving kefir whey soda. Sharon will show us how to incorporate this powerful living culture into our daily routines and how to get it into the guts of people we love.
A Taste of Spain
12pm
Join MoVida’s Head Chef Kane Vokoun for a celebration of Spanish producers. Kane will show us how to prepare authentic Spanish tapas dishes using ingredients that represent the unique landscapes behind the produce and the diverse histories of those places.
From guindilla peppers to anchovies, experience the real flavour of Spain, from farm to sea.
Flavour Explosion
1pm
Dial up the killer flavour and join chef Sandra Seah, the mastermind behind Six-Eyed Scorpion crispy chilli oil, to learn how you can elevate and add a new dimension to your meals.
Sandra will show us how to create three different dishes using fresh ingredients with an added twist to create something truly spectacular and a little bit unexpected.
If you’re looking for fun and fresh ideas for the kitchen, this is the session for you.
Melbourne Cult Tarts
2pm
Learn how to create showstopping tarts with tart master Gareth Whitton, founder of Tarts Anon and winner of ‘Dessert Masters’. Gareth will share his tips and tricks on how to create the perfect tart at home, from beloved classics to modern creations.
Whether you have a sweet tooth or looking for an exceptional savoury snack, tarts are both the perfect end to a meal and a meal in their own right.
The Little Cellar Door
3pm
Join winemakers Alexia Roberts from Larnook Wines (McLaren Vale), Elika Rowell from Jamsheed (Melbourne) and Tony Layton from St Hubert’s (Yarra Valley) for a guided winetasting and a chat to learn what they’re currently most excited about in the world of wine.
From grape varietals to innovative winemaking techniques, don't miss out on the chance to sip and savour exceptional wines from some of the finest regions in the world. Experience the unique flavours and stories behind each bottle and discover what makes these wines truly special.
The Ultimate Cheeseboard
4pm
Join The Little Food Market’s resident cheesemonger, Jeremy Spradbery from Supercheese, for a guide on creating the ultimate cheeseboard. Jeremy will share his expert insights on selecting cheese, textures, and pairings, and chat about all the lovely things that go with cheese, including wines, specialty breads, crackers, and condiments.
He will also delve into the wonders of cave-aged Gorgonzola, offering tips on how to incorporate this unique cheese into your cheeseboard. Don’t miss out on this chance to learn from a true expert and elevate your cheeseboard game!
Frank Camorra
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Frank Camorra is the Executive Chef and founder of MoVida. Born in Barcelona to Cordoban parents, he grew up in Geelong and trained in some of the best restaurants in Melbourne before returning to Spain to rediscover his culinary roots. He cooked in Spanish kitchens learning from chefs to prepare the best ingredients at their seasonal peak using traditional and modern cooking methods to bring out their true flavour.
When he returned to Australia he opened MoVida, a Spanish bar and restaurant celebrating Spanish tradition, that quickly became a Melbourne icon. Over the years MoVida has grown to include nine venues and Frank has written five books on Spanish cuisine. Alongside MoVida, Frank oversees a successful importing business Alimentaria, distriburing Spanish artisan food and wines throughout Australia.
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Sandra Seah is the chef behind the cult favourite Six-Eyed Scorpion crispy chilli oil. They have worked at some of Melbourne/Naarm’s most notable restaurants like Transformer, Smith & Daughters, and Riso. Sandra is obsessed with seriously sexy flavour and often draws on recipes from her Singaporean heritage.
Owned and run by queer, people of colour; Six-Eyed Scorpion promotes diverse culinary tales and perspectives.
Sandra Seah
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Champion bartender Orlando Marzo has an extensive career creating drinks at top-class venues around the globe from The Player and Milk & Honey in London, to working with Eau-de-Vie group, Dinner by Heston and Lûmé here in Australia.
Orlando was crowned Best Bartender In The World, after winning the prestigious Diageo World Class Cocktail Competition in 2018. This positioned Orlando as a global authority in the beverage world and has allowed Orlando to expand his reach within the industry both locally and globally.
In 2021, he launched the exciting selection of world-class bottled cocktails called Loro, so that anyone can enjoy flavour at its finest.
Orlando Marzo
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Jeremy Spradbery is a long-term cheese professional and owner of Richmond’s specialty cheese shop, Supercheese on Swan Street.
Jeremy is passionate about showcasing seriously good cheeses, focussing on benchmark cheeses produced locally and overseas, particularly raw milk cheeses.
Jeremy was only the third Australian to be inducted as Guard and Juror into the exclusive Guilde des Fromagers, a now global organisation protecting the traditions of artisanal cheese making.
Jeremy Spradbery
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Hilary McNevin has more than 15 years in the hospitality industry and 18 years in food media.
She is a Melbourne-based food communicator, writer, speaker, facilitator, and founder of Turnip Media. She contributed to Epicure in The Age and goodfood.com.au for 12 years, writing the weekly news column ‘Espresso’ for six years. She has also contributed to The Guardian, James Halliday Wine Magazine, Delicious Magazine, The Weekly Review, SBS Food Online, The Australian, Winestate Magazine, and Broadsheet Melbourne, among other publications.
Hilary founded Turnip Media in early 2017, where she creates digital content, connections, and events for food producers, winemakers, growers, purveyors, and the hospitality industry.
Hilary McNevin
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Sharon Flynn is one of Australia’s foremost natural fermentation authorities. Born from a lifelong curiosity of fermented food, she founded The Fermentary more than a decade ago, creating a range of wild fermented food and drinks.
After online demand for her products increased, she established a unique space in Fitzroy North, home to curated, small batch ferments and host to workshops featuring local and international experts.
Bestselling author of Ferment for Good (2017), her latest book Wild Drinks (2022) continues to inspire and engage others with a compelling enthusiasm for fermentation and food sovereignty. Sharon has received many awards, including Delicious Magazine ‘Outstanding Artisan’ (2016) and legend status in 2021 by the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival for food advocacy and production.
Sharon Flynn
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Gareth Whitton is an accomplished chef with over 18 years of culinary experience, having honed his skills in some of the world's most prestigious restaurants including Pier, Quay, Oud Sluis and Dinner By Heston.
Born from Melbourne's COVID-19 lockdown, Gareth's passion for baking evolved into Tarts Anon, a speciality tart shop that quickly garnered acclaim throughout the city. Tarts Anon has since expanded to two thriving locations and earned him recognition as a guest judge on Masterchef Australia in 2022, and led him to compete alongside the finest pastry chefs in Australia on the internationally televised 'Dessert Masters' in which he was named the 2023 winner.
A visionary entrepreneur in Melbourne's culinary scene, Gareth balances his professional pursuits with fatherhood, cherishing his role as a loving father to Otis alongside his partner Catherine.
Gareth Whitton
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Elika Rowell is a partner and winemaker at Jamsheed Wines, Melbourne’s first fully functioning urban winery, based in the south of Preston. She joined Jamsheed in 2018 when she met Gary Mills, her now partner in life and business, bringing along with her 20 years of hospitality experience.
Her career began in fine dining restaurants, to cocktail bartender at some of Melbourne's most well-known establishments, and then landing in the world of coffee for over 10 years.
Elika champions equality in the workplace, transparency and authenticity and has found that her skills gathered in coffee have been very easily transferred into the wine world. Since joining Jamsheed she has “taken a bumbling business, that was run like an A4 fanzine, and turned it into a successful, expanding business full of purpose and integrity” (Gary Mills)
Elika Rowell
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Dani Valent is one of Australia’s most respected food communicators. She is a longtime freelance journalist and restaurant critic, award-winning cookbook author and host of the Dirty Linen food podcast.
Dani is a frequent media commentator on hospitality issues and an in-demand event host and guide. She was named a Legend by the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival in 2022 and was honoured for her Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality in the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards 2023.
Dani Valent
Tony Layton
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Born in the UK with an early career in hospitality managing pubs, Tony Layton found his passion for wine later in life. After an epiphany with a bottle of Hugel Pinot Blanc, he settled in Melbourne after 10 years in cafes and restaurants in Sydney.
Working at the European (Spring Street), Tony was inspired by the wines of the old world and began training and learning, completing his WSET2 + 3 and Court of Master Sommeliers courses while working, tasting, and enjoying all the city had to offer.
In 2011, Tony moved to the Yarra Valley to take a position with Giant Steps winery. Over the years, he has worked with many brands in various roles across the region. He has worked on the Yarra Valley Wine Show, Chardonnay Symposium, and sits on the Committee for Wine Yarra Valley in a marketing capacity.
Tony loves his region and the variety it offers, from bold Cabernet-based wines to the ethereal Pinot Noir of the upper Yarra and everything in between. He is proud to call this fabulous region home.
Dario Di Clerico
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In 2014, Dario Di Clerico joined forces with Giorgio Linguanti, an Italian entrepreneur and cheesemaker, to take on the role of Executive Chef at That’s Amore Cheese. With a deep understanding of flavour, Dario created recipes that perfectly incorporated Giorgio’s cheeses, leading to the opening of That’s Amore Cheese Retail Outlet and Café in Thomastown in August 2015.
Dario and Giorgio perfected the recipe for authentic Sicilian cannoli, using fresh That’s Amore Ricotta. This led to the creation of Cannoleria by That’s Amore in 2018. The Cannoleria brand has been a huge success in Melbourne, with the opening of permanent stores and pop-up stalls around the city. In mid-2020, under Dario’s direction, Cannoleria moved to its own factory in Heidelberg West.
Dario is not only a talented chef but also an entrepreneur, cannoli master, cheese lover, and inspired butcher.
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Raph Rashid, aka Snacc Boss, is a Melbourne-based entrepreneur known for his unique approach to photography, music, and food. Raised in the family restaurant, Raph developed a strong work ethic and a love for hospitality early on.
In his 20s, Raph picked up a camera and started documenting his circle of friends, who were talented skateboarders. This led to a career in photography, capturing the essence of the music and skate scenes. His book "Behind the Beat," featuring iconic producers like DJ Shadow, DJ Premier, and J Dilla, has seen six printings.
Inspired by his travels in America and a decade of perfecting his recipes, Raph opened Australia’s first food truck, Beatbox Kitchen, followed by Taco Truck. He now operates a fleet of food trucks and a restaurant in Melbourne. Raph was awarded the Trailblazer Award by the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival in 2013 for his contributions to the local food scene.
In 2016, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History acquired one of Raph’s photographs of J Dilla. He has exhibited his work in Tokyo, Melbourne, and Hamburg. His follow-up book, "Back to the Lab," was released in 2017.
Raph lives in Melbourne with his wife Beci Orpin and their two children, Tyke and Ari.
Raph Rashid
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Giorgio Linguanti is a renowned cheesemaker and the founder of That’s Amore Cheese, an artisanal Italian cheese producer in Melbourne.
Giorgio’s Sicilian roots and a passion for the art of cheesemaking inspired him to open That’s Amore Cheese in 2008 after migrating to Australia.
Giorgio has introduced a number of iconic Italian cheeses, including Bocconcini Leaf and Burrata, and now produces over 65 different types of cheese.
Giorgio Linguanti
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Alexia Roberts is a champion of the McLaren Vale wine region and is responsible for producing many world-class, award-winning wines over the past two decades. She has dedicated her winemaking career to the iconic McLaren Vale and in 2022, launched her own exciting new venture, Larnook Wines.
Alexia is an innovative businesswoman who has carved a remarkable path in the world of winemaking. At the heart of her business lies her commitment to sustainability and deep respect for the environment and she crafts wines that reflect the diversity and soul of the McLaren Vale wine region.
