Melbourne’s Crown goes Mediterranean

The restaurants at Melbourne’s Crown Casino will be hosting acclaimed chefs from the Mediterranean region during the Masters of Australian Food and Wine in Melbourne, 23-30 March 2007.

The Masters of Mediterranean cuisine include Thierry Marx from France, Vincenzo Cammerucci from Italy, Ramón Freixa from Spain, Christophoros Peskias from Greece and Mokhtar Azhary from Morocco.

The Masters of Australian Food and Wine is a dynamic showcase event held at Crown, with leading culinary professionals from around the world sharing their cuisine and creativity using Australian produce.

Once again in 2007 the Masters program coincides with the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, with Cammerucci and Marx featuring in the Festival’s Masterclass program.

Host chefs at Crown are Philippe Mouchel at the brasserie by Philippe Mouchel, Roxana Flores at JJ’s Bar and Grill, Steffen Hoffer at Conservatory, Michael

Bannerman at Number 8 restaurant and wine bar and Alfredo Amoroso at Breezes.

Each restaurant will be serving their guest chef’s menu for eight days, and there will also be three dinners featuring cuisine and wines from around the Mediterranean region. In addition, the five chefs are preparing the menu for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival’s gala dinner event, in Crown’s Studio 3 on 23 March.

“It is rare to find such an exalted gathering of Mediterranean chefs together under one roof,” said Walter Wagner, Executive General Manager of Food & Beverage at Crown. “Then when you factor in the talents of the Crown host chefs, and the supreme quality of Australian produce, it is truly a unique opportunity to sample world-class cuisine.”

For more information visit www.crownltd.com.au

Events include:

Friday 23 March Festival’s Official Gala Dinner, Studio 3 at Crown

The finest French and Mediterranean cuisine from a team of international chefs including France’s Chef of the Year 2006, Thierry Marx – $189 per person for five courses matched with Victorian wines. Tickets available from Ticketmaster 136 100, for more information go to www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au

Sunday 25 March A Taste of Spain with Ramon Freixa

Hosted by Roxana Flores at JJ’s Bar & Grill – $195 per person for five courses matched with Spanish and Australian wines. To book call JJ’s on 9292 6891. www.jjsatcrown.com.au

Tuesday 27 March A Taste of France and Italy with Thierry Marx and Vincenzo Cammerucci

Hosted by Philippe Mouchel and Michael Bannerman at the brasserie by Philippe Mouchel and Number 8 restaurant and wine bar, matched with French and Italian wines – $185 per person.

To book call Number 8 restaurant and wine bar on 9292 7699.

www.number8atcrown.com.au

Friday 30 March A Taste of Greece and Morocco with Christophoros Peskias and Mokhtar Azhary. A relaxed al fresco-style barbeque hosted by Alfredo Amoroso and Steffen Hoffer at Breezes – $95 per person including wine. To book call Breezes on 9292 6896

www.breezesatcrown.com.au

Each restaurant will also offer menus created by their guest chef from 23 – 30 March.

To book for dinners at Crown restaurants during “Masters of the Mediterranean”, contact the restaurant directly or call Crown’s restaurant booking line +613 9292 5777.

Report by The Mole