Melbourne launches own food symposium GROW

Love Ted talks? Missed out on Rene Redzepi's upcoming MAD symposium, and wish you'd been at Ben Shewry's WaW Gathering two years back?

Ticket up for this new version of the food conferences, coming to Melbourne in May.

Banjo Harris Plane, the ex-Attica sommelier now co-helming Bar Liberty in Fitzroy, along with Michael Bascetta, Meira Harel, Manu Potoi and Vicky Symington are launching their own conference, GROW.

The all-day event will take place on Sunday May 1st at a Melbourne venue still to be announced. It's a $125 deal, lunch included, featuring speakers from every level and branch of hospitality including Nolan Hirte from Proud Mary's Coffee and Josh Elias who founded Alquimie wine mag, and Brae chef Dan Hunter. There's the chance to hear, but also see Ashley Huntington – owner of Tasmania's Two Metre Tall Farm and Brewery, who is very nearly an actual two metres in height.

Hospitality is tough. But the industry also boasts some of the most insanely talented, smooth talking humans in the country. Trust us when we tell you there are few things greater than hearing Epocha's Angie Giannakodakis speak some truths.

Tickets ($125) go on sale Monday April 4th, 10am, via www.growassembly.com.au.

The full line-up

Sebastian Crowther MS – Head sommelier, Rockpool 1989, Sydney

Max Allen – wine writer, Melbourne

Nolan Hirte – owner of Proud Mary Coffee, Melbourne

Dan Hunter – co-owner of Brae, Victoria

Leon Kennedy – former owner of B'Stilla, Melbourne + current owner of Little Hop, Melbourne

Ashley Huntington – owner of Two Metre Tall Farm and Brewery, Tasmania

Josh Elias – co-founder of Alquimie, Australia

Sarah 'Biggie' Lemke – baker, part owner of De Superette, Belgium

Kevin Donovan – owner of Donovan's Restaurant, Melbourne

Ryan Creed – Social Entrepreneur/Mushroom Grower, Perth

Angie Giannakodakis – owner of Epocha Restaurant, Melbourne