Italian artisans dish up cooking know-how at Collins Street food hub.
Melbourne’s premier Italian food mecca Il Mercato Centrale is about to drop a culinary bomb on the CBD with its inaugural Il Mercato Food & Wine Festival. Kicking off this weekend, the ten-day gastronomic celebration promises to transform Collins Street into a playground for food obsessives with a smorgasbord of free masterclasses, tastings and cooking demos.
Taking cues from Italy’s bustling markets, the festival brings together a crew of food artisans ready to spill their secrets on everything from handmade pasta to golden gozleme, sushi rolling to sourdough starters.
Il Mercato Food & Wine Festival
- March 21 to March 30
- Il Mercato Centrale, 546 Collins Street, Melbourne
- Free
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The lineup reads like a food lover’s fever dream. Pasta fiends can get their hands dirty at the Gnocchi Cooking Show, while bread nerds can geek out at the Sourdough Masterclass. Sweet tooths haven’t been forgotten either – the Gelato Behind-the-Scenes sessions and Cannoli Workshop are guaranteed to satisfy sugar cravings.
For the meat-minded, Brisket 101 delves into the sacred art of Texas barbecue, while The Art of the Smashburger breaks down the science of the perfect beef patty. Pizza purists can learn the secrets of dough-stretching perfection at the Pizza Masterclass, and wine enthusiasts can level up their palate game with expert-guided tastings.
“We’re incredibly excited to launch the Mercato Food & Wine Festival and offer Melbournians a taste of the world’s rich culinary culture,” said Silvia Tasinato, Marketing Manager of Il Mercato Centrale Melbourne. “From the artistry of pasta-making to the science behind sourdough, this festival is an invitation to experience the tradition, skill, and passion that define food and wine.”
The festival transforms the already buzzing food hub into a ten-day celebration of culinary craftsmanship, with sessions designed for everyone from kitchen novices to seasoned home cooks. Best of all, the entire program is free – though spaces are limited, so food lovers are advised to register pronto.
Whether you’re keen to master the mystical art of sourdough, unlock the secrets of proper gelato or finally nail that elusive pizza dough, the festival offers a rare chance to learn directly from the masters in a hands-on environment.
The Il Mercato Food & Wine Festival runs from March 21-30. For the full program and to register for sessions, head here.
