Village shows off its skills

By Tania Martin
THE best food, wine and entertainment that Mt Dandenong has to offer will be highlighted at the second annual Food and Wine Festival on Sunday.
The festival will have something for all ages with rides and entertainment for young children and the best of food and wine for the adults.
Mt Dandenong is one of the many picturesque villages nestled in the Dandenong Ranges.
Festival organiser Ben Higgs said the town residents believe that the food and wine festival is a good way to raise the profile of the area and the local specialist food and beverage suppliers.
The day will include street stalls selling local artisan breads, preserves, fresh pasta, smoked meats and small goods, baked goods, even organic ice-creams and sorbets.
Top chefs from the area, many of whom have worked in some of Melbourne’s most iconic eateries, will conduct cooking demonstrations and master classes on subjects as diverse as Cooking With Secondary Cuts of Meat, Perfect Fish Dishes and Food From Morocco and the Middle East.
Presenters will include Ben Higgs of Wild Oak, Jake Ward of the Mt Dandenong Hotel, Anne Creber of Whispers from Provence and Troy Payne formerly of Lady Hawke
There will be something for everyone at the festival from a kids’ bake-off, judged by an expert panel, to an array of street performers and rides.
Mr Higgs said a host of other popular events including the Blundstone throw and beer barrel races were also planned with some fantastic prizes up for grabs.
Wheelbarrow races and Harley rides will be a highlight for not only the children but some adults, too.
Local children will be entertained by a number of displays including fire engines, police cars and a hot rod and car show.
Live music will keep locals and visitors entertained while they visit the stalls which will have wines, jams and even some ice-cream.
Mr Higgs said the event was a unique cultural and community festival that defines the Mt Dandenong village.
He said unlike some regions of Victoria, such as the nearby Yarra Valley or the Mornington Peninsula, the Dandenong Ranges region has not been heavily promoted as a food and wine destination, despite having an abundance of food and beverage producers.
“The Mt Dandenong Village Food and Wine Festival seeks to redress this.
“So why not enjoy a scenic day out in the country with first-class food and wine and help to make the day a triumph for all involved,” he said.