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Home  blifestyle It’s gourmet, darling
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Wednesday, 23 January 2008 |
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Considering the passion for food and wine within the gay and lesbian community, it seems strange that the Midsumma Festival has not previously considered a culinary component.
But, better late than never. For 2008 the pot is boiling over with gourmet events, from drag-hosted progressive dinners to champagne tours and fresh food shopping sprees at Prahran market.
The southside’s gay central is a focus of the program with the Commercial Road Quarter Progressive dinner on January 30. Hosted by Dolly Diamond, diners will meander between Sweet Basil Thai, Red Orange and Chez Olivier for three courses.
Red Orange will be well known to Commercial Road regulars. Previously known as Blue Elephant, the restaurant underwent a $1 million makeover several years ago. Featuring an upstairs dining room with cathedral ceiling and open fireplace, a party-central courtyard very popular with functions (including gay commitment ceremonies) and a varied menu of Australian-style cuisine, it’s a popular spot for passing trade.
Current owner Trevor Ashman says the cafe is well known for its half-priced, all-day breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday, as well as $15 steaks on Tuesdays. He says Red Orange will serve the main course, and a glass of wine (extra glasses optional!) for the progressive dinner.
“There’ll be a choice of seven dishes – we’ve just changed chefs so it will be good mixture. It’s Australian food but we have had European-trained and African chefs,” he told bnews.
Entree will be at Sweet Basil Thai, and desert at French restaurant, Chez Olivier in Greville Street.
But wait, there’s more... If you fancy wandering about around the Southbank area, sign up for the Southside Progressive dinner on February 5. This event takes in BLVD, World Restaurant Bar and EQ.
There are plenty of other culinary capers happening throughout Midsumma including First Class Shop & Cook (February 2, 9), where participants head to Melbourne’s open-air markets to buy fresh produce then head back to the kitchen for an interactive cooking class and a glass of wine or three.
If you fancy a little drag with your champers, then Bubbles darling! (February 2) is for you. Midsumma host Alexis Van Airbust will take you on a tour of the world’s finest champagnes from Spain to New Zealand and the Yarra Valley at Madame Brussels in the CBD.
Lovers of the brown stuff will find plenty of temptation on the Chocolate Treats Walk (February 2) which visits Haigh’s Chocolates, Koko Black, Chokolait Hub.
Details: www.midsumma.org.au
by CATHY ANDERSON
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