Lorne takes a long lunch

The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival came to the foreshore on Friday with Love Lorne hosting a regional World’s Longest Lunch on Friday March 4.
More than 100 diners enjoyed sunshine and a sumptuous feast created by three local chefs in gardens of the Mantra Lorne.
Guests were greeted with a glass of 6Ft6 Prosecco NV on arrival, followed by an entree by Mantra Lorne head chef Jacob Alexander.
The entree was hot smoked ocean trout, fennel cream, gnocchi with minted pea puree, served with wines from Mount Duneed Estate.
Main course was prepared by Maple Tree head chef Mitch Knight and consisted of Point Henry salt bush followed by a simple dish of Barwon lamb with Torquay-grown tomatoes and Drysdale chèvre alongside Provenance wines.
Rory Graham and John Boreham of Swing Bridge Café and Lorne Bowls Club joined forces to prepare an elegant dessert of bay leaf and yogurt panna cotta, Pinot Noir and strawberry jelly, with Gentle Annie’s berries and passionfruit.
Many of the participating producers and winemakers were present to lunch share details about their products.
The World’s Longest Lunch encourages Victorians in Melbourne and many regional areas to gather together for an afternoon to indulge in the offerings of the state’s best makers and producers.
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival continues until March 13. For more information and the event schedule, head to melbournefoodandwine.com.au.