Wine and dine with tableware art

IF you’re looking for an exciting backdrop to enjoy a meal in during Ballarat Heritage Festival, the Great Takeaway will have you covered.

Taking place for one evening only over the course of the Festival, the dining experience is set to deliver a delicious meal surrounded by the exquisite works of some of Ballarat’s top ceramists.

Amelia James, curator of the Great Takeaway, said it will provide an unusual extension of the Craft Lab program.

“Craft is something we all have around us. We all use items that either are crafted or once were crafted,” she said.

“This is a way of elevating the everyday. Crafted items aren’t just for looking at, they’re for using so The Great Takeaway really captures that feeling.”

Plates created by six local ceramists will adorn one individual table each with glassware designed by Ballarat-based Nick Doran.

The ceramicists are Koji Hoashi, Peter Pilven, Barry Wemyss, Minna Graham, Neville French and Ruby Pilven.

Three-piece meals will be provided by staff at Peasant Ballarat specifically catered for each individual table setting.

Each attendee can take their handcrafted tableware home with them, which Ms James said will bring another layer of value to the experience.

“It’s saying they’re precious and that we can have everyday experiences that are valuable even in our everyday experience of dining,” she said.

“It’s all about showing how we should value the dining experience and that we should really relish the opportunity to not only enjoy the food but the accompaniment that go with it.

“It’s a different slice of Ballarat. We have wonderful dining experiences here already and this is taking it a step further to experience a little bit more of what we have to offer all in one package.”

Attendees can get a sneak peek of the dining setup for The Great Takeaway which will be on display during the first weekend of the Craft Lab 2023 program.

The event will take place on Thursday, 25 May from 6.30pm to 10pm at the Ballarat Mining Exchange. Tickets are $275 and can be booked via ballaratheritagefestival.com.au.

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