Melbourne – Mark your diaries because the 2nd annual East Malvern Food & Wine Festival returns to East Malvern’s picturesque Central Park on Sunday 19 November 2017, from 10:30am to 5:30pm!
**See below for Connie Lambeth’s Q&A with Festival Producer Margot Natoli…
Q&A with Festival Producer: Margot Natoli
- Tell us how the East Malvern Food and Wine Festival came about.
As Festival Producer, I was seeking out a suitable venue based in Melbourne, to launch a new annual Food and Wine Festival with a Victorian wine region partner and the Bendigo Wine Association. The response to my expression of interest from the then President, led to the forging of a relationship. We were welcomed by the East Malvern Traders Association into Malvern East, when Central Park was selected as the venue. A local business identity, Peter Norman, Chairman of the East Malvern Community Bank Brand of the Bendigo Bank, identified the value to the local business community and supported the project to make it a reality.
2. What can food and wine lovers expect to find at this event?
We have hand selected 17 of the best Bendigo and Heathcote wineries, many of whom are small family owned wine producers, therefore the wines are generally only available from their cellar doors. You can meet the winemakers directly and taste their award winning and unique wine varietals.
3. What is your favourite part of this event?
Supporting Victorian producers and local business and community, with the support of our presenting partner the East Malvern Community Bank Brand of the Bendigo Bank and the East Malvern Traders association, City of Greater Bendigo, and the Wine Associations for Bendigo and Heathcote. A team effort supporting Victoria businesses.
4. Is there a mix of locals and people from further afield?
Local businesses including Nepal Dining, Riversa restaurant, and the event local School of Magic will join Bendigo and Heathcote winemakers, local Melbourne breweries and boutique distilleries, Victorian small producers and some of Melbourne’s leading food trucks.
5. Tell us about the Central Park venue and why it works so well for a Food and Wine Festival.
I site inspected many unique parks in the Stonnington Council area. Central Park, Malvern East, stood out as it is a beautiful park in a central location, with good public transport options and a strong local community.
The Park provides a green backdrop to create flowing precincts of gourmet food stalls, produce, craft beer and wine stalls, so people can walk around all day sampling and purchasing everything we have on offer.
6. Who are some of the exhibitors and artisan producers at this year’s festival?
All listed on the website:
https://www.eastmalvernfoodandwine.melbourne/
Over 70 stall holders so bring your shopping basket and an appetite!
7. Tell us about the family-friendly aspects of this festival.
This is a free public event, for all ages, including a Farmyard Animal Farm for the kids, a wonderful picnic vibe, ample seating and free entertainment all day long, including live music from RnB star MAYA, Columbian vanguard Oscar Jimenez, and saxophonist Harry Cooper.
The East Malvern Food & Wine Festival is an incredible day out for the whole family, as well as a way to celebrate the region’s amazing food and wine producers.
Social Media:
www.facebook.com/eastmalvernfoodandwine
>#EMFWfestival
@eastmalvernfoodandwine
The East Malvern Food and Wine Festival is proudly brought to you by the Festival Producer Margot Natoli with the support of our presenting partner the East Malvern Community Bank Branch, Bendigo Bank, together with sponsorship partners Mercedes-Benz Toorak, Strategem, Heathcote and Bendigo Wine Association and the City of Greater Bendigo, and the in kind support of the East Malvern Traders Association Inc and the City of Stonnington.
**Information, Q&A & Images Courtesy of Margot Natoli – East Malvern Food & Wine Festival/Cardinal Spin PR
Connie Lambeth – The Australia Times News
Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events
E: connie.lambeth@theaustraliatimes.com.au
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatgourmetmag/
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