The Good Food & Wine Show returns to Melbourne from 29 to 31 May with two brand new experiences.
Australia’s longest-running consumer food event has added Bakers Alley, a dedicated bakery precinct, and an intimate hands-on Cooking School to the Good Food & Wine Show’s 2026 program. The show attracts more than 90,000 visitors nationally each year across its Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane instalments.
Bakers Alley has been developed with the support of pâtissier and chocolatier Kirsten Tibballs, pulling together seven independent Melbourne bakeries under one roof. Confirmed vendors include Tarts Anon, Dröm Bakery, Calle Bakery, Rustica Sourdough, Amman Pattiserie, JC Patisserie Boulangerie and Mietta by Rosemary, each producing an exclusive baked item available only at the show. Award-winning executive chef Andrew Ballard will also debut a Japanese-inspired lamington created specifically for the event.
Good Food & Wine Show 2026
- 29 to 31 May — MCEC, Melbourne
- 19 to 21 June — ICC, Sydney
- 17 to 19 July — PCEC, Perth
- 23 to 25 October — BCEC, Brisbane
- 20 to 22 November — ICC, Sydney (Christmas Markets)
- 4 to 6 December — MCEC, Melbourne (Christmas Markets)
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
The new Cooking School runs ticketed sessions for up to 40 guests, who cook alongside celebrity chefs in 45-minute classes. Headline sessions include Brendan Pang’s Wonton Workshop: Red Curry Edition, a chocolate-making class with Tibballs, and George Georgievski’s Midweek Dinner Upgrade with Le Gruyère AOP. Classes at Tibballs’ Savour School typically sell out at upwards of $400, making these sessions the first time she has offered public hands-on workshops outside her own venue.
The show’s live programming includes the Good Food Kitchen, hosted by Alastair McLeod, featuring cooking demonstrations from the full talent roster included with general admission. Free daily wine tasting sessions run through the Drinks Lab presented by RIEDEL, led by sommelier Shanteh Wale, where attendees sample four wines per session and meet the winemakers directly. The Wine Pavilions cover regions including the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley and Margaret River.
Cheese lovers can explore the Cheese Corner, featuring producers such as Pyengana Dairy and Ashgrove Cheese, with specialist Valérie Henbest hosting a dedicated cheese, caviar and champagne pairing as part of the Cheese Lover Ticket. Melbourne also gets the exclusive Australian Eggs Flip It Cooking Stage, with practical cooking tips and the chance to sample dishes on the spot.
The VIP Lounge, presented by Singapore Airlines, offers a premium all-day experience featuring curated menus by Ballard, priority entry, front-row seating at the Good Food Kitchen, five complimentary beverages and a VIP gift pack.
Confirmed talent for 2026 includes Miguel Maestre, Kirsten Tibballs, Brendan Pang, Nat Thaipun, Vincent Yeow Lim, Jane de Graaff, George Georgievski, Justine Schofield and Alastair McLeod. Additional chefs are expected to be announced.
For more information, head here.
