Festival: What's on

Loosen the belt buckle - one weekend down, another two weeks to go … As the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival hits high gear, there's still plenty left to taste and discover.

Gifts from the Waters of Mexico, March 1-9, 2.30pm-5pm; Chingon Cantina y Taqueria, Richmond; $95 including drinks

Get your taste of new-wave Mexican during this four-course exploration of seafood from the nation's coastal regions. A menu of blue-eye ceviche, prawn albondigas, smoked mussels and traditional Baja tacos highlight the food and culture of the Central American region. And don't forget the tequila!

The Master and the Prodigy, March 5, 6.30pm-11.30pm; Nobu, Southbank; tickets $250, all-inclusive

For one dinner only, Nobu Matsuhisa will work alongside his prodigy, chef Christopher Shane Chan Yai Ching, to prepare an eight-course, water-inspired menu showcasing the best of his 25 restaurants across the globe - all matched with sake. ''Nobu'' is the name associated with modern Japanese cuisine the world over.

Chef Masterclass, March 8-9; The Langham Melbourne; tickets from $85 ($595 for a weekend)

It is undoubtedly one of the annual highlights of this festival. For two days across multiple sessions, some of the best chefs in the world gather to share their stories on how this year's theme - water - influences their philosophies and methods. Hear from Donovan Cooke, Luigi Taglienti and Rosa Mitchell, to name a few.

Johnny Iuzzini Afternoon Tea, March 6, various timings; The Langham Melbourne; tickets $65, includes afternoon tea

Award-winning New York dessert king Johnny Iuzzini, of the three Michelin-starred Jean-Georges, will bring his pastry skills to The Langham for a traditional afternoon tea. For those unable to attend the March 6 sessions, his signature menu will remain available on weekdays from March 3 until March 14.

The Danube River's 222 Seasons, March 6, 7pm-11pm; Union Dining, Richmond; tickets $130 including wine

Austrian cuisine is one often overshadowed by the culinary stylings of its more flashy neighbours (we're looking at you, France). This festival, it will have its chance to shine as Austrian winemaker Bert Salomon joins Melbourne's own Nicky Riemer in the creation of a five-course dinner that draws on Riemer's own Austrian heritage. Wines, too, will be a highlight, with the eight drops chosen to highlight the influence of the Danube on all 222 of the Weingut Salomon Undhof winery vintages.