One of the highlights of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival this year running from 19 March to 4 April is the World’s Longest Lunch. At the main event in the tree lined St Kilda Road arts precinct, some 1,000 diners sat down to a three course meal at a 350 metre long table.
Similarly, at various locations around the State, regional produce and fine wines are showcased to long lunch diners. Many of these regional events are organised by Local Government.
Held this year on Friday 26th March, Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Longest Lunch was its seventh. Some 150 people enjoyed a sumptuous lunch along one long table on the famous Hanging Rock racecourse. The table, set with crisp white linen, sparkling glasses and cutlery winds its way around the curve of the racecourse at the base of the mysterious Hanging Rock.
“Once again we had great support from local food producers and winemakers in the area,” said Simone Gordon, Tourism and Events Officer at Macedon Ranges Shire Council. “Daylesford Macedon Produce came on board to assist us with the sourcing of the food for event. This year my goal was to provide our guests with an exciting gastronomic experience and overwhelm them with the range of quality product we have in the region.”
A provincial regional picnic was created by chefs from local establishments. Offering the best of local produce over five courses, the food was matched with a great collection of award winning local wines. A local jazz band provided entertainment throughout the afternoon, while HSC students undertaking a hospitality course at a local secondary college gained enormous experience in providing waitering services.
For the diners travelling from afar, Council organised a bus to pick up from the Woodend railway station and deliver people back after the lunch.
