TBM Staff - Mumbai Last week Visit Victoria, the official tourism board for the state of Victoria in Australia, along with Australia’s national carrier, Qantas, presented a two-day culinary pop-up, “Flavours of Melbourne,” in collaboration with MasterChef Australia Finalist, Chef Kishwar Chowdhury.
Taking place at Hyatt Regency Delhi, ‘Flavours of Melbourne’ was a sensorial exploration of Melbourne and Victoria through food. The uniquely crafted menu featured epicurean delights as an ode to the scenic beauty and landscapes of the region and shone a spotlight on the high-quality of Victorian produce. The dishes prepared took inspiration from the iconic landmarks of the region like “Hors D’oeuvres in the laneways” inspired by the colourful laneways at Hosier and AC/DC Lanes, “Apollo Bay Entrée” that pays homage to prized seafood at Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road, and “Yarra Valley Cellar Door” a dish that brings the essence of Yarra Valley’s renowned vineyards, artisanal cheeses, berries, and lavender farms to the plate.
Visit Victoria and Qantas hosted trade agent partners, fostering meaningful connections and networking opportunities. Media and influencers relished the flavours of Melbourne and Victoria through an interactive Masterclass with Chef Kishwar.
Speaking on the occasion, Shae Keenan, Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Victoria, said, “Travellers have shown an ever-increasing desire to explore and savour the world through its culinary delights – and Melbourne’s food scene is world-class. By bringing Melbourne and Victoria’s local produce and flavours to India, we hope to highlight the importance of our exceptional food culture. India has always been a key visitor market for Victoria, and we aim to provide unique experiences that shine a spotlight on all things quintessentially Victoria for Indian travellers to explore.”
Kunal Dewan, Country Manager for India, Qantas, said, “At Qantas, we’re committed to showcasing the very best of Australian produce to millions of travellers on a global stage, including on our flights between India and Australia. We’re pleased to have partnered with Visit Victoria to bring a taste of Melbourne to India, helping to drive visitors to experience everything the state has to offer.”
Qantas operates three return flights per week from Delhi to Melbourne, increasing to six per week over the peak season between late December 2023 and late February 2024.
Commenting on this, Chowdhury said, “It was an incredible experience collaborating with Visit Victoria and Qantas Airways for ‘Flavours of Melbourne’. Growing up, food was always central in our home – we always made Indian or Bengali food that was prepared with locally grown Australian ingredients. The menu for this event was prepared with a lot of unique elements and rich Victorian produce that also celebrates the best of the destination. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to bring a taste of Melbourne to a whole new audience, and I hope it left a memorable and mouthwatering impression on all those who experienced it.”
