Victoria's local wine and produce will be on display at Australia's most prestigious environmental awards at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) this week - and will be turning heads for all the right reasons.
The Banksia Foundation Awards will see a sustainable menu served, featuring nine producers from around Victoria, fitting with not only the centre's leading environmental practices, but the awards themselves.
Those to be showcased include roe from Yarra Valley Salmon, one of the only fresh water aquaculture farms in the world which uses a natural method of harvesting roe; and Pinot Noir from Helen's Hill, fifth generation Australian winemakers who rely solely on catchment water, grow crops in oats and rye grass and are working towards becoming carbon neutral.
The key component of the main menu, twice cooked high country pork belly with Morcilla sausage, spiced spinach and green ginger wine sauce, comes from a farm in Euroa and is a premium range 100% Australian grain fed pork.
Red Hill Cheese made with fresh organic cow's milk, free-range goat's milk and vegetarian rennet, free from genetically modified organisms, will complement the miniature desserts.
Even the beer comes from an environmentally sound producer. Grand Ridge Beer in west Gippsland makes its beer using pure mountain water without chemicals, preservatives, artificial colours or flavours.
MCEC's food and wine manager Frank Burger says while this menu has been specifically created for the Banksia Awards, the concept behind it is something the venue prides itself on.
"We source only the best quality, local ingredients from the most environmentally sound producers we can find, and then prepare everything on site - from smoking and curing fish to making our own soups and sauces."
He says this not only supports local producers and farmers, but it is cost effective for clients.
"Our clients get the best of both worlds. The best quality local produce, including local boutique wines matched to their menu, with the knowledge it comes from producers and farmers who care about the environment, and because it's seasonal, local produce - it's financially beneficial too."
Image: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
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