If you've read my posts previously, you'll see that I really enjoyed Taste of Melbourne 2010 but was a bit disappointed with Taste of Melbourne 2011. One of my criticisms of last year's festival was the terrible layout and how hard it was to move around the festival. I also pointed to the lack of a carnival atmosphere. Well, they must have listened to me (OK I know they didn't but let's just all go along with how influential I am) and have decided on an outdoor festival. Outdoor festivals by their very nature just creates more of a fun and carnival atmosphere. Sunshine and fresh air tend to make people really happy. I can only imagine how different this year's festival will be and I am excited about it again. Being able to freely move around is a major plus as it maximises my eating time haha. Being able to put my food on the grass and eat it in comfort rather than try to balance a plate of food and wine while standing up is another advantage.
I was invited to a Taste of Melbourne preview by Hot House Media held at one of my favourite restaurants, The Point Albert Park. I got to sample one dishes from each of the various restaurants who will be at Taste of Melbourne this year. Needless to say, the food was all really good or excellent.
This year, the restaurants involved are:
* The Point Albert Park
* Movida
* Mamasita
* Taxi Dining Room
* Albert Street Food and Wine
* The Aylesbury
* Sake
* Livingroom
* Bishop of Ostia
* The Botanical
* Mahjong
* The Atlantic
* Libertine
* Mr Hive Kitchen and Bar
* Three Blue Ducks
* Malaysia Kitchen Pop-Up
GIVEAWAY
5 x Double Passes to Taste of Melbourne 2012 (Thursday or Friday sessions)
I think it will be great this year and hopefully I'll bump into you. Just don't take a photo of me if I'm shoving food down my throat. But please do come and say hi as I really don't know who reads this blog.
HOW TO ENTER
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COMPETITION CLOSED
Thanks to all the entrants and your great responses. I've used random.org and the five winners are The Bakeanista, Nisha, Ling, Candice and Lulu. I have emailed you all and will send out the tickets to you. Hope to see you at Taste of Melbourne.
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Just leave a comment. You can write about anything really. Maybe you've been to Taste of Melbourne before? Maybe you have some good tips that will help me for the festival? Or maybe you have a dish/restaurant that you loved or are looking forward to trying?
Make sure there is a way for me to contact you. If I can't get in contact with you within 2 days, I will redraw the prize as I need to urgently send out the tickets to you.
Conditions of Entry
- One entry per person.
- Competition closes November 9th 10pm AEST. The winner will be announced on the following day and published on this same post.
- The winners will be randomly drawn.
- I will contact the winners directly to get your address to send the tickets.
I discover my passion and "addiction" to good food only after I came to Melbourne. This would be my last year in Melbourne. Going to miss the amazing food here! I am sure I am going to treasure the first and last Taste of Melbourne!
ReplyDeleteNow that I'm back based in Melbourne (HOORAY!!), I'm getting started on eating my way through a whole bunch of restaurants (both posh and street eats), so I should really try to get to Taste.
ReplyDeleteIt would be so amazing to be able to sample all the delicious foods from such great chefs all in one place! I would love to go to the Taste of Melbourne.
ReplyDeleteDo we have to go through this charade? Clearly I read your blog, and occasionally your mother. That's probably about it ... : )
ReplyDeleteI've never been to the Taste of Melbourne before, though hope to go one day when I don't have exams :P this year my last exam is the 14th though, so I might end up going :)
ReplyDeleteNever gotten around going to Mamasita, due to time, and lines, but I heard their corn on the cob is absolutely amazing. Also looking forwards to trying Movida.
Read your reviews, hoping that it'll be more like 2010 rather than 2011.
As for a tip, my area isn't festivals, but from my experience from working at expos, always bring a friend, it makes taking pictures of food in a crowd much easier, (I haven't mastered the art of operating the DLSR with one hand yet) especially if they're super tall. ;)
This is my last year in Melbourne finishing my final semester of my law/arts degree. I would like to go to Taste of Melbourne as i have never been and what a good way to celebrate the end of exams by going to a food fare! :)
ReplyDeleteIt would be so amazing if i had the opportunity to go!
The last time I went to taste of Melbourne I took my grandmother and she enjoyed it so much! Looking forward to all the good food on offer this year!
ReplyDeleteI have never attended the Taste of Melbourne before, and I'd love to go! Would be a fantastic 'date' day with my husband :)
ReplyDeleteI am eager to pay a visit to Taste of Melbourne. Probably the entrance fee sounds fair to me, but I heard that I still have to pay another price to try the restaurant's food. This literally turn me off and decided not going. Hopefully I could win the double passes! Especially I haven't been trying out those restaurant's food yet!
ReplyDeleteI went last year & was disappointed so hopefully this year will be better :)
ReplyDeleteEmail. Thebestbeautyblog at gmail dot com :)
I have experienced the suckiest week of ever. ToM tickets would help ease the pain. Literally.
ReplyDeleteI love Taste festivals! I recently moved to Melbourne from Auckland and I loved the Taste of Auckland festivals which were also always held outdoors around this time of the year! The fresh air, outdoors, grass and sunshine makes it all so much better and adds to the atmosphere
ReplyDeleteI love Taste festivals! I recently moved to Melbourne from Auckland and I loved the Taste of Auckland festivals which were also always held outdoors around this time of the year! The fresh air, outdoors, grass and sunshine makes it all so much better and adds to the atmosphere
ReplyDeleteHere's a peek of what an outdoors Taste festival in NZ looks like: http://www.chow-whenever.co.nz/event-taste-of-new-zealand-festival-2011/
ReplyDeleteFinally, it's here! Been a long wait for the event this yr!! Would definitely want to experience the whole new change of location with various different offerings by well-known restaurants. Thanks in advance for this amazing opportunity to indulge in Melbourne's best offerings! :)
ReplyDeleteCheers!!
I have never been to Taste of Melbourne before. Based on your past blog posts it does look interesting, so I would want to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteI am excited about trying the Yuzu dessert, Yuzu is so popular right now and is found in tea, cocktails but I have not had the pleasure of trying it in a dessert. Furthermore, this event is outdoors I think it'll be a good way to get fresh air, catch up with a good friend and delight the tastebuds. And pop up Malaysian, sounds like bliss.
ReplyDeleteLast years Taste of Melb 2011 was the first time I went, and was already quite impressed. So i'm sure this year it's gonna be even better! It'll be warmer weather, outdoor and with new restaurants WOO HOO!
ReplyDeleteI'm most excited about Mr Hive :P you know me SUGAR lol oh oh oh and the Mamasita corn, I still haven't tried hehe ~
Thanks for the chance to win!!! Hope I can go twice :P
I've been out of the country for 10 months and missing Melbourne food. I would love to go to the Taste of Melbourne!
ReplyDeletetips: look at the menu and plan ahead what you would like to try or else you may easily burst the bank. also, go with a whole bunch of friends so you can try more things!
ReplyDeleteI don't have any tips but if I'm chosen to go, I certainly will leave some tips for your other readers for next year. I'm a big foodie and have just moved to Melbourne. I can't wait to discover all of the gourmet experiences on offer here!!!
ReplyDeleteAll of Australia's culinary delights under one roof! Now this is something I've gotta see!
ReplyDeleteI love to cook and these food extravaganzas give me inspiration to try new things at home, its also a reat opportunity to check out top resaurants
ReplyDeleteThe food looks delectable - cant wait to see it with my own eyes and TASTE the amazing flavours myself!
ReplyDeletethanks :)
I went to Taste of Melbourne in 2009 and 2010, but gave it a miss last year for pretty much the same reasons. hope that a change of venue and moving outdoors rejuvenates the event.
ReplyDeleteI can NEVER manage to get a booking at MoVida... maybe this is the closest I'll get!!!
ReplyDeleteMy birthday is on the 23rd of November and I'm contemplating on food from MoVida and The Atlantic and Hive Bar & Restaurant! I'd love to be able to taste test a few at the Taste of Melbourne 2012 so I can finally make a decision!
ReplyDeleteOmg love all the pictures in your post! I went to Taste of Melbourne last year, but like you I was quite disappointed and wasn't keen to go to this year's event.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that it'll be held outdoor this time around and would love to give it another go.
And my to-eat-list does match that list of participating restaurants! OM NOM NOM!
Been there last time and had fun. This year's programs are so attempting. Love Melbourne so much and the diversity of food to choose from.
ReplyDeleteTaste of melbourne keeps my tastebuds in the real food world and out of the infant mushy-food world as my babysitting resources for dinners out are scarce.
ReplyDeletetaste of melbourne, one part great food, two parts sampling the best restuarants around and finally tickets for two so I will be leaving the children home when I win
ReplyDeleteI went last year and had the best time -- here's hoping the Albert Park venue will be even better (even if it's not as close to my house)!
ReplyDeleteI went for the first time last year and loved this event. I am looking forward to trying the Prawn Burger from The Aylesbury. It looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Taste of Melbourne, but have been dying to and especially now after reading this blog post! Contest aside - I love your blog :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely looking forward to the bag of goodies MR HIVE will offer at the Taste of Melbourne. Loving your amazing food ventures in Melbourne and looking forward to reading more!
ReplyDeletexoxo
I have never been to anything like this, I am a bit of a food newbie and need to be pushed into eating strange and wonderful things with a festival like this!
ReplyDeleteEmma
emma.m.brooks@gmail.com
Would love to go again this year, hopefully being outdoors the weather will hold up!
ReplyDeleteI have been living in Melbourne for years and I have never been to Taste of Melbourne nor the participating restaurants. Hope I get this opportunity to experience Melbourne's finest. Btw, love your blog! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteooh ooh ooh... it all looks so yum and pretty.
ReplyDeletestormcasta@hotmail.com
I would LOVE to attend the Taste of Melbourne this year as I have always wanted to go to the ones held at the Royal Exhibition Building in previous years. Mr Hive Kitchen and Bar and Sake are definitely on the top of my to-try list. And it would be a bonus if I happen to bump into you Thanh ^^
ReplyDeleteWould love the chance to taste an array of flavours under one roof!
ReplyDeleteBeing a soup-addict, I'm particularly interested in trying out some from the Botanical (been hinted that there's been quite a rave)!
I have always wanted to go to this event, but lack of funds has always prevented me. I am dying to get my hands on the corn from mamasita, I keep seeing pictures and drooling.
ReplyDeleteWould love to try the 'best sandwich in the world' from Bishop of Ostia!
ReplyDelete@lixia_tan