We know. Somehow it's week three of Good Food Month already. This week it's all about low country boils, alpaca feasts and an exclusive preview of Longsong with chef David Moyle. But first and more importantly, if you missed a seat at Gelinaz, the great global chef shuffle which took place last week, we have good news. Two of the world's best chefs are coming next week, and final tickets have just been released. Buy now, eat well.
Fergus Henderson's Sunday Spring Social (Nov 27)
The chef patron of St John (London) and author of The Whole Beast: Nose to Tail Eating arrives next Thursday (Nov 25th). His dinner has sold out, but the most British picnic in the world is taking place on Sunday the 27th as the recovery brunch and unofficial closing party for Good Food Month. Henderson, Ian Curley and the team from French Saloon, Matt Wilkinson (Pope Joan) and Michael James (Tivoli Road) will be creating a roving banquet of great British picnic foods, backed by Pimms. All the eccles cakes and pork pies you can poke an umbrella at, in a casual Sunday session where you can meet and drink with the great man himself.
Sunday November 27, noon-4pm, French Saloon, 380-384 Little Bourke Street, $75, see goodfoodmonth.com/melbourne
Pisco and ceviche with World's #4 chef, Virgilio Martinez (Nov 25)
It's the chef from World #4 restaurant, Central, pisco cocktails and all the ceviche (including modern interpretations of Peru's hottest cured fish dish) that you can handle, in the middle of the Botanical Gardens. All drinks (wine and beer) and unlimited ceviche is included in your ticket price, plus there will be a talk with Martinez and a chance to get his new book for just $45 (RRP $85).
Fri 25th Nov 6.30-9.30pm, The Terrace, Anderson Street, Melbourne, $100 including all food and drinks, $145 including a copy of Martinez' book 'Central' (RRP $85).
Get a sneak peek at one of the biggest openings of 2017: the long-awaited upstairs bar to Melbourne's mod-Thai hero Longrain. Join David Moyle, the chef who has set Tasmania's dining scene alight with Franklin in Hobart, as he plates up an exclusive preview of Longsong's Thai-leaning menu with cocktails, beers and wines, months before the venue opens to the public.
Fri Nov 18, 6pm, Longrain, 44 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, $60 includes all drinks and snacks.
South Carolina Low Country Boil
Crayfish, prawns, butter and beer. Just add mallets. The Thousand Pound Bend team is throwing another two low country boils this year. These involve buckets of crayfish, prawns and buttery corn being upended on paper-covered tables for grabbing and smashing at will. South of the Mason-Dixon excellence, for the next two Sundays.
Sun Nov 20, 27, 1:30pm, Rear, 361 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, $80.
A sellout at the festival every year, Pastuso's chef Alejandro Saravia will be creating another nose-to-tail menu revolving around Peru's prized beast, alpaca. Using different cuts and cooking techniques, you'll try South America's favourite protein grilled, dry aged and smoked.
Sat Nov 19; from 12.30pm-4pm; Pastuso,19 ACDC Lane, Melbourne. $100.
Get to this lunch and take some notes; these young stars are going places. Hosted at Oter, enjoy a five-course lunch cooked by five young chefs on a mission: Jake Kellie from the Lakeside Mill, Jasper Avent from Carlton's Town Mouse, Alex Xinis from the Press Club, this year's Young Chef of the Year, Jarrod Di Blasi of ezard and Oter's David Boyle. These young guns are at the forefront of Melbourne dining – get in before they're all grown up.
Sun Nov 20, Oter, Basement, 137 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. $190 including five snacks and courses with matched wines.
Wellness versus Wickedness at The Grand
Two award-winning teams from the Grand Hotel and the Golden Door go head-to-head in a six-course gastronomic battle royale of good versus evil. In one corner: messiah of wellness James Knight, head chef from the Golden Door – with a passion for freshness and quality organic produce. In the other corner, the Grand's head chef, Andrew Beddoes, will pull no punches in his wicked line-up of immoral culinary delights.
Mon Nov 14-Thu Nov 17; 6:30pm The Grand Hotel Richmond, 333 Burnley Street, Richmond, $145 a person; six courses with matched wines ($125 a person for Grand VIPs)