It’s been a busy few weeks for the 100 mile foodie team with numerous functions and events keeping me busy. The highlight was our Melbourne Food & Wine Festival event held in conjunction with the Mornington Railway – the Mornington Wine and Dine Train.

OK, let’s be honest. Things didn’t start out so well. Victoria’s dry late-summer/early-autumn ended in earnest with heavy rain falling throughout the morning of the event. Our guests won’t overly concerned though – a glass of bubbles and canapes under the platform roof at Moorooduc Station and every was soon in the right spirit!

 

Canapes comprised Potato/ red onion Turkish börek, three-cheese arancini/ garlic aioli/ herb, pea/parmesan/ lemon crostini/ native tomato pearls, lamb/ dried mint Turkish börek and charcoal cone/ goat curd/ walnut/ pear/ local honey.

Guests moved on to the train to enjoy some delicious local produce inside their own Bento box (pictured above). The menu featured chicken liver parfait, housemade pretzel knot, smoked trout/ crème fraîche tart/ lemon myrtle pearls, pumpkin/ goat’s cheese quiche, Sunny Ridge strawberries, local cherry tomatoes/ olives/ basil and Blue Bay brie.

After the trip to Mornington, we were rewarded with a burst of sunshine just as guests arrived back at Moorooduc. The dessert menu, served on the platform, was mini lemon tart, hazelnut/ quince macaron/ truffled honey (pictured above), beetroot/ chocolate gelato waffle cone and strawberries/ cream gelato waffle cone.

I was thrilled to be able to get out on the platform to meet with our guests, including some old friends who I hadn’t seen in ages, some great supporters of 100 mile foodie and even a hen’s party (pictured above) who included the Wine and Dine Train on their itinerary for a weekend of celebrations on the Mornington Peninsula. Watch for details of upcoming 100 mile foodie events – coming soon!

Cheers, Marlene Hoff