Musical exhibition to inspire chefs’ Setlist Dinner

FIVE of Ballarat’s top chefs will serve up a special dinner surrounded by art next February.

As part of the Medieval to Metal guitar-themed exhibition program, the Setlist Dinner will be held at Art Gallery of Ballarat, hosted by food writer Richard Cornish.

Hotel Canberra’s Jigs Liwanag, Mr Jones Dining’s Damien Jones, The Shared Table’s Dianne Ray, Black Cat Truffles’ Liam Downes and Peasant’s Doug Kerr are set to cook up a symphony of flavoursome dishes.

Drawing ideas from the exhibition, the chefs will design different sections of the dinner’s menu utilising local produce.

“I have walked through Medieval to Metal several times now,” said Cornish. “It is an astonishingly good exhibition.

“It is only natural that chefs are inspired by the strength of this show to produce some exceptional dishes for this sensational dinner.”

Downes has been inspired by the medieval side of the show.

“Pork was a common meat in medieval times,” he said. “I am using Western Plains Pork but using as much of the animal as I can, nose to tail, making sure I respect the animal and have knowledge that it was ethically raised.”

Wines from Avoca’s Blue Pyrenees Estate and beers from Aunty Jacks will be paired with the food, and Liwanag said he’s honoured to be dishing it up.

“Not just as a fellow chef but as one of a group who are driving Ballarat as a food and cultural force in regional Victoria,” he said.

“Each brings something so special to the table and working alongside them to create this dinner is an opportunity that I am excited by.”

Art Gallery of Ballarat director Louise Tegart will lead a tour through the exhibition.

“Our Setlist Dinner will give guests a rare opportunity to sample dishes crafted by five remarkable chefs, while also enjoying an intimate tour of Medieval to Metal: the art and evolution of the guitar,” said Ms Tegart.

“We are so fortunate to have a diverse and impressive selection of culinary experiences available in Ballarat and surrounding towns, I look forward to bringing this talent together for one night only, here at the Art Gallery of Ballarat.”

The Setlist Dinner is on at the Art Gallery of Ballarat at 6.30pm on Saturday 1 February. Visit artgalleryofballarat.com.au for tickets.