Victoria’s truffle season has been officially welcomed at the launch of the Truffle Melbourne Festival, which kicks off at the Queen Victoria Market on Saturday 17 June.
The launch event hosted in the Vic Market’s Dairy Hall was a treat for guests, who were served Bass & Flinders’ truffled gin&tonic, as well as truffled delights from Scott Pickett’s Pickett’s Deli such as churros with goats cheese, honey and truffle, mac&cheese croquettes with cauliflower and truffle and jerusalem artichokes with pickled onion and, you guessed it, truffle.
From June 17-18, market-goers will be able to transcend to truffle heaven, with free activities happening all weekend including truffle tastings, an array of fresh truffles available, a Market Truffle Trail, mock truffle dog hunts and artisanal product stalls.
“It’s hard to believe but just four years ago when we started, we first had to explain that our festival was about celebrating the fungi variety of truffle and we weren’t all about chocolate truffles,” laughs Truffle Melbourne Director Nigel Wood.
“In 2017, consumers are astute, aware and eager to taste truffles on everything from my personal favourite, scrambled eggs, to risotto, pastas, toasted cheese and more unique pairings with pork, chocolate and even ice cream.”
Some of Melbourne’s finest truffle chefs including Philippe Mouchel, Ashley Davis, Damian Sandercock, Giorgio Linguanti, Jesse Gerner, James Mele, Joseph Vargetto, Michael Cole and Paul Tyas will share their truffle knowledge and host live chef demonstrations.
Truffle fanatics will also be able to make their way around the weekend’s designated Truffle Trail. Participating traders include Curds & Whey, M&G Caiafa, The Chicken Pantry, Alec Watson & Son Butchers, ReWine, Books for Cooks, Gewürzhaus Herb Spice Merchants, Pavilion Select Produce, The Corner Larder and The Epicurean.
Mock truffle dog hunts will take place in the Market’s A Shed each day. Professional truffle hunting dogs and festival favourites, Spice and Arrow, along with their siblings will delight market visitors with their truffle hunting skills.
“Festival-goers want more and different truffle experiences, and are keen to try new truffle tastes, so we’re working the best Australian, Spanish, Italian, French and U.S.truffle growers and producers to bring a wider world of truffle to town,” says Wood.
A line-up of ready-to-eat exhibitors are set to keep even the most insatiable truffle enthusiast sated, including:
- Bass & Flinders Distillery – Truffle Gin and Truffle Vodka
- Black Cat Truffles – fresh truffles and truffle products
- Great Southern Truffles – truffle products
- Piper St Food Co – truffled charcuterie and take home baked goods
- Olieve & Olie – all natural, handmade beauty products
- Truffle Melbourne – fresh truffles and truffle products and
- Morris Outside – Australian country and garden wear.
TRUFFLE MELBOURNE FESTIVAL
Queen Victoria Market
Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 June 2017
Saturday 9am – 3pm; Sunday 9am – 4pm
trufflemelbourne.com