What's On in August: Melbourne

Biggest charity kitchen launches in Abbotsford

On Thursday August 15, food charity FareShare launches its new kitchen with a bang; the aim is to cook five thousand meals in twelve hours for Victorians in need. The target, if met, will see the organisation receive a donation of more than $300,000.

The cook-a-thon challenge will showcase the cooking talents of chefs including Ian Curley and Daniel Vaughan, and The Age food reviewer Dani Valent.

Details: Thursday August 15th, 1 South Audley Street, Abootsford. More information here.

Chocolate inspired dinner

Monsieur Truffe will celebrate its new Bean to Bar Chocolate range with a five-course decadent chocolate inspired dinner, proving (or at least attempting to!) that chocolate is not just a naughty treat savoured for dessert.

Details: 15 August, $60 per person (plus drinks), East Elevation, 351 Lygon Street, East Brunswick. To book, email events@eastelevation.com.au.

National Champagne Masterclasses

The Champagne Bureau Australia is heralding the start of spring with a series of Champagne master classes across Australia, giving enthusiasts a chance to taste and discuss a selection of non-vintage, vintage and other styles of Champagne wines.

Classes will be held in Melbourne on 27 August, Brisbane on 29 August, Adelaide on 3 September, Sydney on 10 September and Perth on 17 September.

Details: Classes are $88 per person. RSVP by phoning (02) 9555 8891 or emailing emma@drysdalecommunications.com.au.

Bake the world a better place

The Red Cross's national fundraiser, the Big Cake Bake is back for its third year. Host your own event and help those in need, simply gather your colleagues, friends and family and bake your favorite cake, slice, pie, cupcake, cookie or dessert. To register, click here and a host kit will be sent to you with all the tools you need to run a successful event, including an information booklet, donation box, posters to promote your event and a special oven mitt!

Details: Monday, 26th August 2013, for more information or to register visit their website.

High tea takes a turn for the better

On the third Sunday of every month Bursaria will be bringing a new high tea experience to Melbourne. Held at the home of Bursaria, The Abbotsford Convent, the event combines a rich historical setting, with famous Bursaria canapés from honey-cured salmon with remoulade on dill blinis to green pea, ricotta and parmesan frittata and top it off sample the sweetest of sweets with Bursaria’s famous ‘roving desserts’.

Details: Tickets $55 available by emailing bookings@bursaria.com.au or calling 9417 7771.

For the diary

Asian Food Festival

Hot, spicy, sweet and sour, all these flavours and more will come together at the Asian food Festival in September. There will be 30 restaurants participating across Melbourne as well as Australia's premier Asian dining street "Chinatown" offering all styles of cuisine as part of the food festival.

Details: Chinatown Precinct and various locations, Lit Bourke St, between Swanston St and Exhibition St, Melbourne. For more information visit their website.

Margaret River Gourmet Escape: Time your next holiday with the Margaret River Gourmet Escape, the three day culinary adventure is back with a star studded line up of talent. Heston Blumenthal, Rick Stein, Alex Atala, Sat Bains, Neil Perry and Matt Moran are some of the first to be announced with more to follow. The program promises three days of beach barbecues, long table lunches, new events and tastings. Tickets are on sale from July.

Details: November 22nd – 24th. For more information visit their website.

** What's On: Melbourne is compiled by Livia Gamble. Send contributions to editorial@goodfood.com.au.