Roasting Chestnuts! Hot fondue! Spiced Wine! Iced Schnapps! Embrace the night this August with a no-holds-barred celebration of the season, as everything you love about winter comes together in the city in a glammed-up feast.

Hot, toasty, melty, gooey and warming: this is the brief to warm your cockles, and three of Victoria’s most impressive chefs are on the case and going full-tilt. The banquet kicks off in a blaze of inspiration with Vue de Monde chef Hugh Allen, segues into the luxury of European country comfort with Annie Smithers of Du Fermier, and then surrenders completely to the syrup-drenched enchantments of Melbourne’s queen of desserts, Philippa Sibley.

Savour the grandeur of the Royal Exhibition Building like never before as its 19th century-splendour is decked out as the scene for a lavish night of fine dining against the backdrop of White Night Reimagined swirling and frothing all around it.

MENU ANNOUNCED

Entrée by Hugh Allen
Pork and pistachio terrine with pickled muntries and watercress

Main course by Annie Smithers
Duck braised with cider and prunes, with gratin dauphinois and parsnip

Dessert by Philippa Sibley
Golden-syrup cobbler with spiced quince

For more information and to book tickets, visit the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival website.