Self-proclaimed food lovers, festivalgoers, and connoisseurs of garlic and seafood are preparing to embark on a weekend of indulgence across wider regions of Victoria
Apollo Bay Seafood Festival
Seafood lovers can celebrate the diversity of Victoria’s freshest marine produce at Apollo Bay Seafood. Once again, the festival will take over the picturesque Apollo Bay Harbour on February 17-19, food and travel lovers will be able to feast on a curated assortment of seafood, listen to renowned speakers on a range of different locally focused topics and enjoy live music by the sea.
From 11am -8pm on Saturday February 18, the Apollo Bay Harbour will be filled of pop-up restaurants, cooking demonstrations, and a seafood market offering of myriad of pescatarian treats such as seafood dumplings, Southern Rock Lobster, abalone sashimi, organic oysters, giant paella pans, octopus and Apollo Bay bakeries’ famous scallop pies.
The festivities will continue well into the evening with performances over two stages in a stellar music line-up including Fenn Wilson, Hobson Bay Coast Guard, Go Dog Go, The Beachniks, and local Aria award winner Matt Orchard
Conversations ‘On the Edge’ panel talks return on Sunday 19 February, 10 am-(TBC). Hosted by Richard Cornish and Hilary McNevin, hear local fisherman, scientists, ocean activists, farmers chefs and Indigenous knowledge holders speak on key critical issues that affect the ocean, land, and how to live harmoniously, rather than depleting the environment.
17 – 19 February. Tickets and details: www.apollobayseafoodfestival.com/
Meeniyan Garlic Festival
The Meeniyan Garlic Festival celebrates the region’s high-quality garlic and produce with food, wine, music, and arts and crafts on February 18. The festival boasts more than two tonnes of garlic, and the festival will showcase 15 garlic growers from across Victoria for locals and out-of-towners to taste and enjoy.
The line-up of chefs in the Festival Kitcheninclude Alejandro Saravia, founder of Farmer’s Daughters, Victoria in Fed Square and Food and Beverage Ambassador for Gippsland. Alejandro is joined by Gerard Phelan, Head Chef at Tinamba Hotel (awarded a Chef’s Hat in 2021 and 2022) and Maria Stuart, Founder of Millie & Romeo’s Cooking School in Koonwarra.
Produce Heroes in the Festival Kitchen include Penny Woodward, author of ‘Tomato – Know, Grow, Sow & Feast’, Julie Weatherhead, teacher, author and co-founder of Peppermint Ridge Farm, Helen Wright from Grassy Spur Olive Grove.
The Gippsland Wine Academy is an exciting new element to the festival; the sommelier team is lead by Matt Jensen (Farmer’s Daughters, Atlas, Vue de Monde). With 10 award-winning wineries and 40 selected wines, the Academy will provide guided ‘tasting flights’ (available for pre-purchase tickets online), wine-matching with the fine food offerings and expert advice on mixed pack purchases. Saturday 18 February, 9am-4pm. Tickets and details: meeniyangarlicfestival.com.au/