March 3 to March 11
A feast of fiery flavour is soon to be on offer across the Tasman. As part of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival in March, the Crown Towers has scoured the gastronomic universe to present their Stars of Spice: six international masterchefs who will present a menu of signature dishes in several of the hotel's premium restaurants including Nobu and Number 8. It's the only way to enjoy the world on your plate - all in one venue.
The line-up reads like a who's who of culinary innovation. London-based Atul Kochhar has re-invented Indian cuisine (banish the thought of butter chicken) in his Mayfair restaurant, Benares. He was the first Indian chef to be awarded a Michelin star and now he has two. Pedro Miguel Schiaffino explores new frontiers of taste with his unique dishes that use unusual fruits, grains, tubers and spices sourced from the Amazon. Known affectionately as "the jungle chef", Pedro is based in Lima, Peru. Chris Salans, from Bali's award-winning Mozaic restaurant, will join these two to host a series of "star" cooking class - a great opportunity for committed foodies to bring some extra zing home. The three other chefs to complete this jaw-dropping sextet are: Jun Yukimura from Tokyo (a three-Michelin star winner), Toshiro Konishi (the Japanese chef who has conquered Peru by blending traditional high-end Kaiseki cuisine - the cordon bleu of Japanese cooking with local ingredients) and Liu Yun who is Beijing-based and a master of Sichuan cooking.
The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival runs from March 3 to March 11.
Visit melbournefoodandwine.com.au
