Guess who's coming to dinner for Good Food Month?

Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White is the highlight of an appetite-whetting menu of events for this year’s Canberra Good Food Month in March.

Organisers have announced a talent-filled program that includes international and home-grown chefs, esteemed restaurants and flavour-packed collaborations sure to ignite the nation’s capital and invite locals to reimagine Canberra’s thriving food scene over 31 inspiring days.

The British restaurateur, culinary great and Masterchef star will join forces with local hero Ben Willis from the two-hatted restaurant Aubergine in Griffith for a one-off evening at the National Portrait Gallery on 11 March.

The Canberra native will recreate some of his favourite Marco recipes, as both chefs introduce each course and discuss the inspiration behind the menu.

Willis will also lend his expertise to the latest alumni of talented chefs for Good Food Month’s Young Chefs Lunch presented by Citi on 4 March.

Three of Canberra’s leading Italian chefs will go head to head in the ultimate pasta-battle, an indulgent feast with matched wine, on 3 March (further details to be announced soon).

James Viles of the innovative and award-winning Biota Dining at Bowral will lead the charge at The Beautiful Dinner, a stunning shared three-course feast presented by James Squire at The Social Club on 9 March.

Good Food Month officially kicks off on 2 March with the launch of the Enlighten Night Noodle Markets at Reconciliation Place.

The sizzling nights of Canberra’s most unique food and light festival will be packed with signature dishes and innovative tastes from Canberra’s own What The Pho, Grill’d & Spice, Kusina and KorBQ, who will be joined by Night Noodle Market veterans Hoy Pinoy, Twistto, Shallot Thai, Donburi Station amongst many more.

Citi Australia will celebrate its 10th year as presenting partner of the Good Food Month program and is working with some of Canberra’s best restaurants for Friends of Good Food Month, an exciting new event series where leading restaurants are invited to curate and host their unique experiences to best showcase their culinary excellence.

Chief Customer Officer at Citi, Tanya Smith said: “Citi is proud to support the thriving Australian food, wine and restaurant industry and Good Food Month in Canberra is truly a highlight of the culinary calendar. To ensure our customers don’t miss out on the fantastic events, we have reserved a number of tickets to the main events, including a special presale to An Evening with Marco Pierre White.

“Citi’s national partnership with Good Food Month not only allows us to reward our customers, who we know love to dine out, but it allows us to support Australia’s dynamic, fast-growing food scene, something that remains a priority for Citi.”

Good Food Month highlights include:

The Pasta Battle presented by Brand’s Laira, Mezzalira | Saturday 3 March, 7 pm | Tickets $85

The gloves will come off as Francesco Petrillo (Italian & Sons) and two other notable chefs soon to be announced will compete to prove who reigns supreme as they battle it out to serve up an indulgent dinner of the freshest pasta this side of Sicily. Each decadent course will be introduced by the defending Chef, and served with a matching glass of equally delicious vino from the Brand’s Laira wine portfolio.

Young Chefs Lunch presented by Citi, Aubergine | Sunday 4 March, 12.30 pm | Tickets $150

Culinary heavyweight Ben Willis, Head Chef of the two-hatted restaurant Aubergine, will be lending his expertise to the latest alumni of talented chefs for Good Food Month’s Young Chefs Lunch presented by Citi. Willis and these culinary rising stars from restaurants Aubergine, Monster, XO, Eightysix & Temporada will prepare five courses, each dish served with a matching wine. Following the lunch, there will be an inspiring Q&A with Willis and the Young Chefs.

The Beautiful Dinner presented by James Squire, The Social Club | Friday 9 March, 7 pm | Tickets $85

The Beautiful Dinner presented by James Squire will be set amongst a sea of stunning florals at The Social Club, an architecturally designed space that melds elements of mid-century design with Palm Springs. Guests will enjoy a drink on arrival and heavenly canape, followed by a three-course shared dinner by acclaimed Chef James Viles. James Squire will match a carefully chosen beer to each delicious course, all while listening to the beats of the best DJ in town.

An Evening with Marco Pierre White, National Portrait Gallery | Sunday 11 March, 7 pm | Tickets $290

Culinary great and the world’s first ever celebrity chef, Marco Pierre White, comes together with Head Chef Ben Willis of the two-hatted Aubergine restaurant for one night only at the National Portrait Gallery. Willis will recreate some of his favourite White recipes – with his very own twist. Chef Ben will introduce each course and explain the inspiration behind his three-course menu. Each course will be paired with matching wines.

Enlighten Night Noodle Markets, Reconciliation Place | 2-11 March | Free Entry | Dog-friendly

Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 5 pm; Weekends 4 pm

A buzzing, atmospheric open-air Asian hawker market, with delicious food stalls to choose from. Featuring: What The Pho, Grill’d & Spice, Kusina, KorBQ, Hoy Pinoy, Mr Bao, Waffleland, Twistto, Shallot Thai, Donburi Station, Sambal Kampung and Teppanyaki Noodles. More stallholders and menus to be announced soon.

Friends of Good Food Month: 1-31 March across Canberra

Good Food Month invites their Canberra friends of culinary excellence to curate and host their own special and truly memorable occasions. Experiences include: A Champagne and Caviar Masterclass at The QT Lounge; A Fine Marriage of Seafood and Champagne at Capitol Bar and Grill; Chef’s Tasting Menu at Vincent Restaurant and The Ultimate Picnic Feast curated by Eat Canberra, held at a secret location.

 

To view the full program, visit www.goodfoodmonth.com

Which event are you looking forward to the most during Good Food Month? Share your thoughts by commenting below.