MFWF - Pt 2 - A potter, a chef, and winemaker - mm

Following on from my last post - The event at Shelley Pantons Studio was just a delight, a mix of locals and foodies, with Shelley getting on the wheel herself, see just some of the snaps I took on the night!

Well done to all!

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival - PT 1

March Madness is certainly upon us, and Melbourne always manages to cram the best of all tastes into this month... mmmm :) Food, Wine, Fashion, Footy, Comedy and Fast cars to mention but a few!

It was with great pleasure this year that I made time to participate in the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2011

Part 1 Monday 7th March 2011 - was a lovely intimate dinner for 25 or so in the "hidden" ShelleyPanton Studio in Middle Park.

With Matt Wilkinson of Pope Joan and Mac Forbes of the Yarra Valley, Shelley put on a fabulous evening showcasing the local artisans ideology of entertaining...

A feast was prepared, the table ware was made for the event, and the wine had arrived just days before! ( Mac had made some in Austria, and customs had just let it in the country in time!)

The tables were artworks in themselves, and pictures, olives, and table settings were cut fresh the day before!

More photos to come!

MELBURN - Bikes, coffee, prizes and a laneway - get ready!

You know I have a soft spot for Cafe Liason, the peace and quiet of this leafy laneway -

BUT it will not be so quiet at the end of this month, as a group of enthusiastic (and possibly fanatic) Melbourne Bike riders aim to make the BIKESHARE bikes a little more sexy... and enjoy our favourite coffee... but perhaps more importantly, get as many of the Blue Bikes ( 500) in a small laneway at the top end of the city... Join in, grab a blue Bike, your biggest smile, maybe some lycra?? and definitely a helmet and enjoy a LONG lunch hour... prizes and more to be won...

FOR MARCH 31st 2011 - see info above for this facebook group - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=156762307712240 or read more here: http://www.fyxomatosis.com/

Pop ups are fun, but prefer the real thing -

I ventured out today to catch up with some small businesses I have not been chatting to for a while, and amongst saying "Hi" to valued colleagues, I visited the much hyped Broadsheet Cafe in Crossley Street....

Day 1 is by Seven Seeds, and passionate founder Mark Dundon was there orchestrating the tiny room... Great to see him out front.. The room was quietly filling, and almost all food was gone..

Pop ups are great for the buzz they generate, and congrats to Broadsheet on the idea, but for my money ( precious as it is) do your self a favour and go fr the real thing.. its not even that far - Seven Seeds is an awesome venue, the machines and products are worked, tuned loved daily.. and this is seen in the results! ( I don't know how to make coffee or the essentials to do so, but know those who do...)

So take yourself for a walk, or a tram ride and head to one of their 3 current locations.. http://www.sevenseeds.com.au/cms-locations/ and get a great coffee, that you can go back for again.. as you will surely want to!

Flying High... volunteers needed

I received a wonderful email today - and thought I should share - I think it would be fun to be there...

We are looking for a diverse range of volunteers to fly 10 000 paper planes into the La Trobe Domed reading room at the State Library of Victoria on Monday March 14 (public holiday), for those of you who attended the test on Saturday thank you and stay tuned for more.

Much in the same way as fireworks are choreographed, 180 volunteers will be cued to release 10,000 pre-folded paper planes into this magnificent space.
A camera, skyward facing and central to the room will capture this event in one take, slowly spiraling from ceiling to floor.

If you go - take some pics, and let us know how you enjoyed it!

This is an opportunity to be a part of the exciting new project by artist Ross Coulter, meet people and soar ideas and paper planes sky high.
There is an information/registration session for this project on Tuesday March 8 at 6.30pm at the State Library of Victoria (Entry 3, 179 La Trobe Street, Melbourne). Registration and attendance is essential.

If you are interested and can attend this session, or would like further information, please contact us at paperplanes10000@hotmail.com

Could you be an award winner?

This morning I attended the Melbourne Awards Launch Breakfast, and was humbled to be around so many passionate people. Passionate about Melbourne! I sat next to John Bertrand - an inspiring man in so many ways, and his enthusiasm for all that he does is infectious - well it seems to be in the few hours since!

I won such an award back in 2008, and am so proud of the idea that I have personally contributed to the profile of Melbourne - locally, nationally and globally - the real Melbourne, the people of Melbourne that make it tick.. and their story's -past and present!

SO if you you know anyone, or think that you are up for the accolade and amazing alumni - follow this link...I know I have a few thoughts myself, and will fill you in soon... Melbourne inspires me - how about you? -

Visit www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/melbourneawards to download an entry form or call 9658 9348.