Boutique Brands Blend With The Best
The Age
Friday August 22, 2008
THE ROYAL Exhibition Building was abuzz with wine, food and other gourmet delights last night as the Taste of Melbourne festival kicked off.
Some 3000 people poured through the doors to sample the wares of Melbourne's most famous restaurants such as The Botanical and Grossi Florentino.Mixed among the big players were smaller players hoping to make a name for themselves in Victoria's competitive food industry.Ed Keating, a chef from Sorrento who was helping at the stand of boutique brewer Red Hill Brewery, said such events were a good way to get a name out there and mix with other hospitality "tragics".Sonali Peiris, who was promoting her range of chilli products, said she was engaging in a number of swaps with some of the other brands. "We did a deal with the coffee guys," she said thrusting her hand towards a small stand surrounded by well-dressed people.Among the small gourmet companies are 13 established Victorian restaurants who are reproducing their signature dishes for punters. The festival closes on Sunday. The Age is a major sponsor of the Taste of Melbourne
© 2008 The Age
