Meatstock Melbourne – Music and Barbeque Festival, March 17th – 18th

Two huge days celebrating the sweet love of sweet meats, Meatstock Melbourne is back with a capital B not only for BBQ, but for a weekend full of Butchers, Brisket, Burgers, Bourbon, live Bands and lots of craft Beer!

Meatstock Melbourne

With a selection of barbeque themed food trucks, craft breweries and all of the condiments you could possibly want to add to your juicy meats, Meatstock Melbourne is one for not only the meat eaters, but the meat lovers.

If you’re serious about learning how to prepare and cook your own barbeque galore, make sure to check out the impressive timetable of events throughout the two days of a variety of barbeque classes, demonstrations and workshops with special guest appearances by leading international smokin’ Pitmasters, Big Moe Cason and Hillbilly Wes. You can learn from Big Moe himself how to cook ‘low and slow’ Pork Shoulder, Brisket as well as getting first hand cooking tips for backyard and competition barbecue or watch teams battle it out to chop, smoke and grill for the chance to win the Melbourne Barbeque Wars, Melbourne Butcher Wars and Culley’s King of the Cue competition judging the nation’s best Burger, Wings, Steak and Bacon.

Hillbilly Wes_preview

Serving up the meatiest beats and eats, Meatstock Melbourne music and barbeque festival is back for 2018 and the steaks have never been higher!

March 17th and 18th

Melbourne Showgrounds
Tickets on sale now at:

www.meatstock.com.au

$35.00 for a one day day or $55.00 for a weekend super pass, with children under 12 going free with every adult

For more information on how to get to the event:

https://www.melbourneshowgrounds.com/whats-on/events/meatstock/

BBQCooking_MeatstockMelbourne_preview

 

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Ratio Cocoa Roasters

If Willy Wonka had a sleek design aesthetic and a fine taste for artisian chocolate sourced from the highest quality of cocoa beans from around the world, this would definitely be his chocolate factory.

Ratio Cocoa Roasters, chocolate roastery and cafe has just opened its doors on Sydney Road Brunswick, giving the opportunity for chocoholics and foodies alike to gain a close insight into their specialty small batch chocolate creations, offering intimate tasting tours through the ten step chocolate making process, guiding you from bean to bar.

Cocoa beans - the start of the chocolate making process

Cocoa beans – the start of the chocolate making process

Discover your preferred chocolate flavour profile with the Ratio Roastery Chocolate factory tour

Discover your preferred chocolate flavour profile with the Ratio Roastery Chocolate factory tour

Book in for a behind the scenes chocolate factory tour including delicious tastings for $10 here

Or visit their gorgeous store to shop their selection of chocolate bars before hitting the café for a hot or iced chocolate with one of their delectable sweet treats like the Anzac Marshmallow Sandwich, Earl Grey Truffle or house-made raspberry marshmallow.

Sweet Chocolate treats served in the Ratio cafe

Sweet Chocolate treats served in the Ratio cafe

Debbie Makin – Ratio business owner handing out a selection of her delectable chocolate treats!

Debbie Makin – Ratio business owner handing out a selection of her delectable chocolate treats!

 

The chocolate specially crafted for Melbourne!

The chocolate specially crafted for Melbourne!

Ratio Cocoa Roasters

186 Sydney Road, Brunswick

www.ratiococoa.com.au

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2017 Donut and Beer Festival Melbourne August 19th and 20th

Image via

Image via

Go nuts for donuts this weekend at the 2017 Donut and Beer Festival on this weekend! With more doughnuts than you poke a hole through, Donut Fest: Winter Edition will host every Melbourne made donut worth their glaze.

Make a day of your love for donuts with a walk through the donut art installations and get involved with the live music acts, donut eating competitions  and see who came out on top to win the best donut awards!

Accompany your donut feasting with an official donut-friendly caramel malt ale from local brewery Kooinda, or perhaps one of the signature cocktails from the on-sit ebar hosted by CBD laneway bar Manchuria.

Donut Fest 2017

19th and 20th August

Batman Royale, 14 Gaffney Street North Coburg

Tickets are available for each of the two sessions being held each day: 11am-3pm or 4pm-8pm

Tickets available here

Kids under 12 years old also score free entry!

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Flavourhood Tours – Sydney Road Food Tour Melbourne

Flavourhood tours is a comprehensive, fun and incredibly fulfilling (pun intended) day out exploring a prime example of Melbourne’s bustling inner city suburbia with plenty to offer in sensory delights offering you tasty and knowledgeable experiences whether you are from out of town or opening your eyes to being a tourist in your own city.

Whether you’re from Austria, Adelaide or Abbotsford, for a wonderful insight into the best of Melbourne’s melting pot of sights, sounds and tastes, for something extremely authentic and unique, look beyond the CBD to Melbourne’s longest continuous shopping strip, Sydney Road. I used to think the peak of Sydney Road’s excitement was merely the offering of hip live music venues and alternative bars that would appear randomly between the plethora of discount $2 shops, kebab stops, glitzy wedding dress stores, fruit markets and Franco Cozzo, but Flavourhood Tours provided me with an unforgettable experience that opened my eyes to discover that there is So. Much. More.

The grand antipasto spread specially prepared and served for our tour group at Meditteranean Wholesalers

The grand antipasto spread specially prepared and served for our tour group at Meditteranean Wholesalers

Come prepared with comfy shoes and an empty stomach and the delightful Raffaela takes care of the rest. I met Raffaela and the rest of my tour group at Coburg library greeted by a goodie bag including information and coupons which were of great value to look back on and remember all the places I had visited after the tour ended. The tour commenced with a short walk to Zaatar Bakery where we were greeted with a grand feast featuring a classic Lebanese breakfast spread. Whilst joyfully munching away, one of the owners, Jeff provided us with some background information on the history of Zaatar, where the food was sourced (their imported Lebanese olives are a must try!) as well as how food is made and prepared on site. This generous and insightful start to the day serves as a great example of what to expect throughout the four hour long tour as you are guided through the local area with six main stops in addition to many interesting points of interest along the way.

Classic Lebanese breakfast spread at Zaatar Bakery

Classic Lebanese breakfast spread at Zaatar Bakery

As part of the tour I went on, some of our stops included Vasili’s Garden and café where local celebrity gardener and star of the channel 31 and channel 7 tv show ‘Vasili’s Garden’, Vasili himself served us Turkish coffee and Greek sweets whilst walking us through his garden and plant store and took the time to answer everyone’s gardening questions with personalized advice.

Vasili providing his ever valuable gardennng advice at Vasili’s Garden and café

Vasili providing his ever valuable gardening advice at Vasili’s Garden and café

I liked that there was absolutely never pressure or even expectation to purchase goods along the tour at any of the stops. The tour was all inclusive and all aspects of the tour were well thought out and taken care of, from a breakfast feast to an abundance of delicious bites and snacks along the way to myki fares and take home goodies, all provided for. We ate the best falafel I have ever eaten, (now I understand why it is known as best falafel in Melbourne) tried an exotic Columbian herbal tea as well as a selection of Italian and Columbian sweets, sampled wines and a grand assortment of Mediterranean cold cut meats in addition to finishing off the day with a ‘Brunswick blessing’ and a Brunswick brew relaxing in the sun, content as can be in our food coma states.

Owner of Half Moon Cafe Nabil Hassan talking us through his famous falafel

Owner of Half Moon Cafe Nabil Hassan talking us through his famous falafel

Dulce de leche scrolls and Yerba Mate at Neruda's Brunswick

Dulce de leche scrolls and Yerba Mate at Neruda’s Brunswick

Not to mention for those who may not be as extensively excited by culinary delights as me, the tour goes beyond food and covers many fascinating and treasured points of interests along the way. Not only did we receive some valuable information on where to buy the cheapest and comfiest custom pair of jeans in Melbourne to where you can purchase hand-made customised shoes to the story behind the original Australian Ugg boots brand, the history of Sydney Road as well as some Sydney Road movie location trivia.

Shelves brimming with Italian sweets at Trivelli Cakes

Shelves brimming with Italian sweets at Trivelli Cakes

Flavourhood tours provides an in-depth and well thought out tour that covers an extensive collection of local treasures that leaves you feeling extremely full and extremely inspired. You leave the end of the tour feeling like a true local, equipped with a memorable collection of places to return to and familiar faces at each store to stop by and speak to again.

Flavourhood tours hosts 4 hour small group tours on Saturdays throughout the year.

Price: $99 inclusive of breakfast and generous tastings and bites at 6 locations throughout the tour, take home samples and myki fares for travelling on the duration of the tour.

Book online at www.flavourhoodtours.com.au

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Oktoberfest in the Gardens 2016 – Melbourne

Bretzel, Bier, Boogie, Repeat…

While Oktoberfest may have finished up in Munich, the Bavarian beer celebrations are in full swing around Melbourne!

Oktoberfest in the Gardens Melbourne

Oktoberfest in the Gardens Melbourne

Oktoberfest in the Gardens has fast become the ultimate Oktoberfest festival for those of us residing in Australia with its sell-out events getting bigger and better each year. This October is no exception with Oktoberfest in the Gardens back again, bringing along over 20 imported German beers, ciders and wines to ‘prost’ in your dirndl or lederhosen get up amongst the riverside beer halls and German food stalls.

B-lenty of Bretzel at Oktoberfest in the Gardens

B-lenty of Bretzel at Oktoberfest in the Gardens

The event will take you from a fun-filled afternoon to evening with themes roving performers, live music, carnival rides and on-stage events (sausage eating competition anyone?) as well as DJ sets and the ever fabulous silent disco (don’t diss it until you try it – I promise).

Silent Disco at Oktoberfest in the Gardens

Silent Disco at Oktoberfest in the Gardens

All  ticket  holders  to  the  2016  Oktoberfest  in  the  Gardens  events  will be treated to a commemorative  event  stein  (550ml) and complimentary beverage on arrival. Be quick to secure your tickets as Saturday’s event has already sold out but you can avoid being the ‘wurst’ by reserving the last of the final release tickets for Sunday here:

http://www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/oktoberfest-in-the-gardens-melbourne/86899

 

VENUE Birrarung Marr, Melbourne CBD

DATE     Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 October 2016

TIME      2pm – 10pm (Sat), 12pm – 9m (Sun)

http://melbourne.oktoberfestinthegardens.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/OktoberfestInTheGardens

 

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The Australian Drinks Festival – 2016

If you’ve outgrown your usual drink of choice (or decided drinking Espresso Martinis in Melbourne has become too normcore) then get ready to shake things up, (pun intended) raise your glass and say cheers this weekend at The Australian Drinks Festival.

Formerly known as the Top Shelf Festival, the premium drinks festival will see lots of cocktail shaking, wine sipping, beer skulling and dare we say shots poured as the two day event returns to Melbourne this weekend. Collect your Australian Drinks Festival passport and travel through stalls in the ‘Bar Safari’ sampling featured drinks and specials on offer from top Melbourne cocktail bars and restaurants or take part in one (or a few) of the extensive selection of tastings, classes and presentations on offer. Sit in on a Tequila Masterclass with Nick Peters from Melbourne’s Mamasita restaurant and bar or a Sensory Blindfolded Beer Tasting run by ‘Beer Diva’ Kirrily Waldhorn. Learn the Art of the Martini with Phillip Jones, aka ‘the Martini Whisperer’ and taste some of the world’s finest gins with ‘Gin Queen’ Caroline Childerley.

Participate in a Vodka and Food Pairing class or sign up to learn how to distil your own gin with McHenry Distillery. Visit the world’s smallest bar, ‘The Monkey’s Shoulder’ or make your way through the wide selection of premium and craft liquors, spirits, whiskies, beers, ciders and wines available directly from the distillers, winemakers and brewers exhibiting in the ‘Boutique Market’. Then once you’ve found your favourite drinks of choice, sit back and sip away in the wine garden surrounded by local food trucks and live music.

The Australian Drinks Festival

Saturday 16th July 2016 12pm – 7pm

Sunday 17th July 2016 12pm – 6pm

Venue: The Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton, VIC 3053

 

Advance tickets cost $45 or $50 on the door.

Tickets available to purchase online now.

For more information on the Australian Drinks Festival, visit their website at australiandrinksfestival.com.au

 

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The Dressmaker Costume Exhibition at Rippon Lea House & Gardens

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post bought to you By Nuffnang. All opinions expressed are the author’s own.

 

If you also fell in love with the magical gowns that transformed the uncouth residents of Dungatar into alluring femme fatales in the movie The Dressmaker, you too can be like Tilly Dunnage and make your own fashionable return visit to Dungatar for The Dressmaker Costume Exhibition where a lavish collection of exquisite costumes from The Dressmaker feature film are now on display at the Rippon Lea House and Gardens.

 

The Dressmaker Expo 1

 

The Dressmaker movie shows the quirky and bittersweet tale of beautiful couture and sweet revenge, based on the best-selling novel penned by fellow Melbourne local, author Rosalie Ham. The collection of remarkable haute couture costumes is an ode to the glamorous decade in which the story was set, in the 1950s. But just as the fabulous couture pieces stand out from amongst the dusty barren backdrop of the fictional small Australian country town of Dungatar, the striking costumes make just as much of a magnificent impression standing or rotating in their fixtures throughout the exhibition, housed in the ornate rooms scattered side the Rippon Lea Estate. The fitting setting makes for an excitable, voyeuristic treat with the charmingly vintage interior design and artwork lacing the walls amongst the exhibition.

 

Take a peek into Tilly’s workroom, learn how the costumes were developed and see the outfits worn by the cast of the movie including Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth, Hugo Weaving (including a complete room dedicated to the costumes of Sergeant Farrat – check out the size of his ballet slippers) and Judy Davis. The unforgettable figure-flattering gowns, the elegant outfits, the large collection of headwear pieces and props, all beautifully on display as you walk through the estate like a beautiful maze, turning corners to discovering another little room containing the next beautiful collection of outfits from the next scene.

The Dressmaker Expo 2

 

The costumes initially left quite an impression on me when I viewed the film, however seeing the remarkable detail, fabric, textures and shapes up close gave me a new level of appreciation. Therefore I would recommend the exhibition to fans of the movie as well as anyone with a love for costume design, haute couture, vintage fashion or anyone who has a penchant for the charm of the 1950s will definitely enjoy a trip to The Dressmaker Costume Exhibition.

For visitors who also are also up for an even more unique experience of the exhibition, keep an eye out for the special events running during the exhibition which includes a ‘Meet the Makers’ Q&A session, a pop up bar and a night to recreate the Footballers dance as seen in the movie.

 

The Dressmaker Expo 3

 

The Dressmaker Costume Exhibition

Address: Rippon Lea House & Garden: 192 Hotham St, Elsternwick VIC 3185

Dates: 10am – 4pm, Friday April 22nd until Sunday 31st July.

Tickets: Can be purchased online or at the door.

Adult $20

Concession $18

Child (5-15 yrs) $10

Family (2 adults, 2 children) $50

 

For more information, visit the Dressmaker Exhibition website.

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Melbourne Dining Review – Kolache Cravings

I now believe that when Sir Mix-A-Lot claimed he ‘don’t want none unless you’ve got buns, hun’ he was clearly talking about the need to satisfy his craving for the soft, semi-sweet buns of dough filled with sweet or savoury fillings, served at ‘Kollache Cravings’.

Kolache Cravings Micro Bakery & Cafe

Kolache Cravings Micro Bakery & Cafe

New micro bakery Kolache Cravings serves its star product and namesake, the Czech and Texan fusion baked treat. Originating from the Czech Republic, kollaches later rose to popularity in Texas once the traditional recipe was tweaked to begin introducing both sweet and savoury fillings as well as experimenting with the fillings by using modern flavours.

Open Plan Bakery at Kolache Cravings

Flavours of the Day at Kolache Cravings

Flavours of the Day at Kolache Cravings

After living in Texas, owners Phil and Nona Wallis managed to find a rare void in what the Melbourne food scene was missing. Setting up shop in High Street Preston in January 2016, introducing kolaches to Melbourne alongside freshly baked cakes, danishes, croissants, muffins and tarts partnered with quality specialty coffee by Decoy Roasters. Paying close attention to the popular tastes and well-loved flavours preferred by Melbournians, Kolache Cravings aren’t shy to experiment with their ever-changing selection of fillings, churning out dozens of freshly baked goods from their open plan bakery throughout the day.

Kolache Cravings Micro Bakery & Cafe

Kolache Cravings Micro Bakery & Cafe

While the assortment of fillings may keep you guessing, the quality and winning recipe for the softest, freshest buns remains consistent. So whether your passing by for a chorizo and cheese or a strawberry and cream cheese kolache, I would recommend passing by to satisfy your savoury or sweet craving.

 

Kollache Cravings

105 High Street

Preston, 3072

(03) 9495 0706

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Kolache Cravings Cafe & Bakery Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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Oktoberfest in the Garden – Melbourne 2015

via Nokturnl Events

via Nokturnl Events

It is no secret that Australians love taking up the opportunity to flock to Munich at least once in their life for the worlds most popular beer festival in the world – Oktoberfest.
It is therefore no surprise to see that bringing an Oktoberfest festival to Australia has been such a success. Following on from the sell-out event in 2014, the biggest Oktoberfest celebration is back with a double dose of Bavarian fun. Located at the Melbourne riverside grounds of Birrarung Marr, Oktoberfest in the Gardens will be two days of celebrations in Melbourne on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th October.
via Nokturnl Events

via Nokturnl Events

Ladies don your dirndl, and fellas slip on your lederhose as ticketholders will be welcomed to the event with a commemorative event stein and complimentary beverage upon arrival. Then get ready to sip (or chug) a selection of imported European beverages at the pop up beer hall including wine, cider and of course – beer, with over 15 imported German draught beer options.
But a stein of ‘bier’ would not be complete without a pairing of ‘brezel’ and you can sample from an assortment of authentic Bavarian food on offer.  Enjoy the rest of the day amongst the variety or performers, competitions, carnival games, rides and live music to keep you entertained and partying like a Bavarian throughout the afternoon and evening.
via Nokturnl Events

via Nokturnl Events

Tickets for Saturday were sold out shortly after their release, however you can still purchase the last remaining tickets for this Friday’s event!
For more information visit the official event site at www.oktoberfestinthegardens.com.au
Purchase the last of the final release tickets for Friday’s event via Moshtix below:
*Images via Nokturnl Events

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The Dream Collective Career Summit 2015

 

via thedreamcollective.com.au

via thedreamcollective.com.au

The Dream Collective aims to inspire, provide guidance and empower individuals with effective tools and strategies to equip you to go out and achieve both your career and personal goals.

Whatever your goals or aspirations, whether you are currently stuck in a career rut, losing the passion for your work or simply seeking  fresh, innovative ways to tackle your next big goal, project or career move, be inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit, motivated minds and cultivated wisdom from an incredibly talented selection of influential individuals at The 2015 Inaugural Dream Collective Career Summit.

While traditionally The Dream Collective focuses on those working in business, the outstanding speaker lineup allows this event to transcend well beyond the corporate world. From a TedX speaker, digital education specialist, to an innovation judge, business executives, a best selling author and a national sporting hero, this event is for anyone driven and ambitious to achieve whatever they set their mind to, in whatever career path, industry or field they are in.

This half-day workshop features a series of short TED style presentations in addition to an interactive panel session, allowing the audience an invaluable opportunity to ask questions and receive personalised advice from top business leaders and influential speakers on the day. This will be followed by an engaging network opportunity to meet the speakers as well as like-minded motivated individuals.

Meet with fellow aspiring future leaders and gain invaluable advice and insight into the knowledge of highly regarded influential leaders and successful individuals from various industries and career paths with the full line of speaker including:

  • Will Dayble – TedX Speaker, Founder of Fitzroy Academy of Getting Sh-t Done
  •  Sally Collins – General Manager Business Banking at NAB, Author of Stepmother Love and Top 10 Women to Watch in Banking and Finance
  • Loretta Hudson – Oceania Partner at Ernst & Young Australia
  • Kate Weiss – Founder of Table of Plenty, Telstra National Business Women’s Award Winner
  • Dr. Sarah Dods – Executive Manager, Strategy, Performance and Futures at CSIRO
  • Kris Howard – All Rounder at Canva (One of Australian startup scene’s biggest success stories)
  • Mike Rolls – Australia representative at World Disabled Golf Championship and Expert on Proactive Resilience
  • Nicole Fowkes – Director of Human Resources, GHD
  • Sarah Liu – Founder of The Dream Collective, Co-founder of Gemini3 and 2014 International Stevie Award Winner of Young Female Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Caroline O’Farrell – Centre for Workplace Leadership

I have personally attended a workshop previously with The Dream Collective and can attest to the certainty that it will be an incredibly insightful, inspiring, empowering and thought provoking session.

Event Details:

Time: 10am – 2pm

Date: Saturday, 24th October

Venue: The Arena, NAB Village, Docklands

For more information and to purchase tickets for this Saturday 24th October, click on the following link:

http://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-dream-collective-career-summit-tickets-18788517963?aff=es2

Special Discounted ‘Buy-One-Get-One-Free’ ticket offer:

Register to updates from The Dream Collective at the bottom of the webpage below to receive a ‘Buy-One-Get-One-Free’ ticket offer for all subscribers:

http://thedreamcollective.com.au/career-summit/

Disclaimer: Melbourne Darling was invited to attend The Dream Collective Career Summit as a guest. The opinions shared in this article are based completely on my own honest and personal views, thoughts and experiences.

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