March Into Merivale

March Into Merivale

Merivale's annual food festival, March Into Merivale, returns from 21 February to 15 April involving over 11 venues including the recently launched modern Asian eatery - Ms. G's, French bistro - Felix, and Surry Hills hotspot - The Beresford.

Headlined by ten of Merivale's head chefs, the 2011 theme is 'The Art Of Food', with a set of campaign images that feature the group's chefs and Merivale CEO, Justin Hemmes, posing in their favourite food-inspired attire.

The festival kicks off on 21 February with Melbourne master chef Andrew McConnell of Cutler & Co presiding over the kitchen at est. for one exclusive evening to create a four-course menu of his signature dishes.

The food festival will then officially launch on Thursday 24 February with a gourmet extravaganza at The ivy Room and Ash Street laneway from 6-8pm. For just $20 entry fee, guests will enjoy taste sensations and drink tastings from each of Merivale's participating restaurants and get to mingle with all their favourite chefs.

The great lunch and dinner deals will return with restaurants est., sushi e, Ash Street Cellar, Mad Cow, Uccello, Sailors Thai Ivy, Lotus, Bistro CBD, The Beresford, Ms. G's and Felix offering $33 lunch and dinners with a glass of wine or beer. Merivale pubs will also offer their own lunch and dinner deals.

A mouth-watering array of over 50 special events will also take place across the eight weeks including a series of Masterpiece dinners, Foodie Film Nights, a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory lunch, est. dinner with special guest chef Andrew McConnell of Cutler &Co fame, a range of classes including pasta, sushi and cocktail making, and the ever popular Taste Test cook-off, which last year sold out within three hours of the Festival's launch.

Justin explains: "We're all so excited about March Into Merivale 2011, which is set to kick off this year on 21 February and run through to 15 April. I love that March Into Merivale has become a much anticipated fixture in Sydney's food and wine calendar and with our amazing line up of $33 meal offers across 11 restaurants and four pubs, March Into Merivale is the perfect opportunity for everyone to come in and sample the amazing food and service offered everyday through all our venues.

"In addition to our $33 meal offers, we've put together a great range of special events that showcase the imagination and talent of our award winning chefs. Take a look at our calendar of events, lock some dates into the diary and come along to as many things as you're able to squeeze into your schedule over our eight week festival."

It will be even easier for diners and drinkers to sample the March Into Merivale delights in 2011 with the introduction of a festival passport where guests collect stamps from different Merivale establishments each time they eat in order to receive a $100 Merivale voucher. Each completed passport will also be entered into a draw to win dinner for six with Peter Doyle at the winner's home.

For more information and to pre-register for the launch party, visit www.marchintomerivale.com or phone (02) 9240 3000.