Melbourne Food and Wine Festival returns with the World's Longest Brunch

The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is roaring back to life in just a few weeks, with ambitious plans for the year ahead.

The festival has traditionally been held over two weeks in March, featuring a mix of local and international talent. Adapting to a new COVID-normal world, Food and Wine Victoria CEO Anthea Loucas Bosha has revealed a more locally focused, year-round program.

The festival's core programming is being moved to mid-year. Spring will see the launch of an entirely regional food and wine festival.

But some key events will go ahead in March. The World's Longest Lunch, starring industry legends Stephanie Alexander, Philippe Mouchel and Jacques Reymond, will go ahead on Friday, March 12, at the Treasury Gardens.

It will be chased on the Saturday by the World's Longest Brunch, a new event spearheaded by Lune Croissanterie's Kate Reid and cafe magnate Nathan Toleman. Attendees will be encouraged to chase the event with a drink at a CBD bar in support of hard-hit city venues.

Between March 12 and 31, more than 50 events, many planned pre-pandemic last year, will be held across the city, including interstate stars like O Tama Carey of Sydney's Lankan Filling Station teaming up with Bar Lourinha's Matt McConnell; the team from O.My popping up at tiny cocktail aunt Above Board and meat master Adrian Richardson (of long-running Carlton North bistro La Luna) holding a suckling pig feast at his wine-focused Bouvier Bar. A number of westside crawls will highlight the best from Sunshine to red hot West Footscray.

Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday, February 12. Priority pre-sale will be available for 2020 ticket-holders.