A bumper line-up of the state’s top cheesemakers, sweet treats galore, your favourite food personalities taking to the stage, and more than 200 makers, shakers, producers and growers all under one roof. That’s right, folks, the deceptively named Little Food Market is going very, very big this year, bringing the flavour back to Royal Exhibition Building for three bumper days later this month.
Who’s getting in on the action? Sweet treats take centre stage at this year’s LFM, with southside scroll royalty Sebby’s Scrolls serving ’em up hot, fresh and extra gooey; one of Melbourne’s more inventive ice-creameries, Kōri, on board with its one-of-a-kind scoops of caramel purin, hojicha and Hokkaido cheesecake ice-cream; and those young entrepreneurs over at Pinto, meanwhile, packing their cart full of new and exciting riffs on tiramisu.
Those wanting to venture to the further corners of flavour-town can do that too. Ocean Road Abalone is offering up its delights from the deep throughout the weekend, the gang from Mat’s Hot Shop are bringing along their au naturel range of hot sauce, and pickling pioneers Acide are pushing the process of fermentation in those (beautifully branded) glass jars to its outer limits before offering them up to you.
Victoria’s further regions get another run at this year’s LFM, celebrating all that’s great about the Yarra Valley and the Great Ocean Road. We’re talking truffles plucked fresh from the rich Otways soil, micro-batch produce sourced direct from the Valley, award-winning cool-climate wines and plenty of good times.
And it’s not just three days of shopping for snacks – though we wouldn’t be mad if it was – the market is bringing some of the biggest names in the game back to the main stage. Join food journalist Dani Valent and Turnip Media’s Hilary McNevin for live cooking demonstrations, workshops and discussions with the always excellent Julia Busuttil Nishimura, Tarts Anon’s Gareth Whitton and returning Little Food Market favourite, wine writer Nick Ryan, among many others.
And as if that wasn’t enough, the good folk at LFM – and about 20-odd cheese artisans – are throwing down on the fromage like never before, with top producers set to feature everything from creamy burrata and rich washed-rind cheeses to bold blues and classic cheddars.
The great eating and drinking doesn’t stop throughout the LFM weekender, with anyone wanting to settle into a fully fledged meal after all that snacking free to do so at the Feasting area. The team is calling in the heavyweights for this one with well-known names including D.O.C Gastronomia, Dingo Ate My Taco and Wonderbao all on deck for a cross-cultural feast you won’t want to miss.
The Little Food Market, tickets from $15 pre-sale or $20 on the door, Friday 17 July, 12pm–8pm, Saturday 18 July, 10am–7pm, Sunday 19 July, 10am–5pm, Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton, thelittlefoodmarket.com.
Produced in partnership with The Little Food Market.