Agriculture: The Heart of Victoria gala dinner [Thursday, 9 June 2016]

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From the catwalk to the cheese platter and the event’s floral theme, the highly anticipated Agriculture: The Heart of Victoria gala dinner on Thursday 9 June in Melbourne will showcase the depth and strength of Victoria’s $12 billion agricultural industry.

The night’s hosts, The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) and the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), are urging the Victorian agricultural sector to come together at the dinner to celebrate its achievements and in particular show support for the State’s dairy farmers in light of recent events.

With many of the menu’s producers being winners of the RASV’s Australian Food Awards (AFA), Australia’s leading fine food awards program, guests are in for a night of culinary delight. Victorian producers such as Barry, owner and master cheese-maker at RMFFA medal winning Berrys Creek Cheese at Fish Creek, are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase their produce alongside Boosey Creek Cheese, Boosey (RMFFA medal winner), Lactalis Jindi at Gippsland (RMFFA medal winner winner) and Montefiore Cheese Australia at Thomastown (RMFFA medal winner).

Here's the menu:

Entrée:

  • Australian Blue mussels from Myti Blue, Provençale sauce, parsley, thyme and sweet basil, crusty baguette
  • Tea smoked duck breast from Luv a Duck, caramelised and compressed quince, kohlrabi and red cabbage slaw

Main:

  • Sous vide and pan seared Angus rump cap from Ashburton Meats (RMFFA medal winner), 14hr braised beef cheek from Ashburton Meats, Dobson’s potatoes, watercress, shallot jus
  • Chicken breast from Hazledenes, slow roasted pearl onions, artichokes, sauce bois boudran
  • 16 hour slow roasted lamb shoulder from Ashburton Meats rubbed with sumac, cumin, fennel and aromatic vegetable moghrabieh

Sides:

  • Green beans with marinated feta from Lemnos Foods and sherry hazelnut dressing
  • Seasonal leaf salad with pear, parmesan and candied walnuts from King Valley Walnuts (RMFFA medal winner)

Dessert:

  • Chocolate cremeux from Bright Chocolate (RMFFA medal winner), chocolate cookie crumble, Choc Mint Ice Cream, mint snow

Cheese platter

  • Selection of Victorian cheeses from RMFFA medal winners Boosey Creek, Lactalis Jindi, Berrys Creek Cheese and Montefiore Cheese Australia with dried fruits from Organic Delights, also a RMFFA winner, and accompaniments.


To complement the evening’s four courses, a selection of beverages have been sourced from the best of local producers, with wine to be supplied by while wine will be supplied by the Bellarine Peninsula’s Scotchmans Hill, cider from Napoleone Cider at Coldstream and Furphy Beer from Geelong.

As a celebration of the best of Victorian produce and the people who produce it, Agriculture: The Heart of Victoria, will shine a light not only on the finest foods produced by Victorian farmers, but the finest fashions they also help to create.

The night will be opened in style with the latest fashions from Australian Wool Innovation (AWI).To highlight the diversity and exceptional quality of Australian-grown wool, AWI has prepared five looks from high fashion to AFL player and supporter wear as part of its ‘Fibre of Football’ initiative, for this year’ gala dinner.

In further support of local Victorian talent, the evening’s floral arrangements will be themed by Flowers Victoria, with assistance from Box Hill TAFE floristry students.
Major sponsor Coles is also continuing its support of Victoria’s agricultural industry and will create a beautiful display of fresh fruit and vegetables, with take home bags for attendees to enjoy after the event.

Now in its fourth year, the Agriculture: The Heart of Victoria gala dinner is the premier event on the Victorian agriculture social calendar, and will be held on Thursday 9 June at Central Pier Docklands. Australian swimming legend Giaan Rooney is back by popular demand as MC, and will be joined by guest speaker and country AFL advocate Kevin Sheedy.

If you’re coming to the dinner, why not make a day of it and attend the 2016 AgriVictoria – State of Opportunity Summit from 9am to 5pm at Melbourne’s Park Hyatt.

For more information about both events please visit their websites:
• Agriculture: The Heart of Victoria: http://www.heartofvic.com.au/
• AgriVictoria – State of Opportunity Summit: http://www.agrivictoria.