Originally published on Broadsheet
Photography: Jasmine Blom
Rosa's Canteen
Two Sydney-born festivals will make their debut in Melbourne this weekend. What’s more, they’re only a short City Loop train ride from each other.
Will you be sipping tea then eating spaghetti? Or doing the reverse? Both are winning combinations.
Italian Wine and Food Festival at the Royal Exhibition Building
After three years in Sydney, it’s finally our turn to get a taste of la dolce vita. Stall upon stall of Italian food and wine, by the likes of Rosa Mitchell (Rosa’s Canteenand Johnny Di Francesco (of pizza pinnacle 400 Gradi), will line the opulent interior of the Royal Exhibition Building. Live cheese-making and olive-oil demonstrations will take the festival stage, and Bar Americano will be on site to serve invigorating Spritzes, Americanos and Negronis.
Sunday May 29, from 11am to 9pm at the Royal Exhibition Building. Buy tickets here.
The Melbourne Tea Festival at the Melbourne Convention Centre
More than 50 stallholders will switch on their kettles for Melbourne’s first tea festival. With a focus on loose-leaf specialty tea, there won’t be a Lipton bag in sight. In addition to interactive demonstrations and workshops on topics such as tea pairing and chai blending, a designated “brew lounge” is the spot for sweet treats and steamy cups of the good stuff.