WHAT a day, what an evening it has been at the culinary climax of Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Regional Edition, the Village Feast, in the Glade at Inverloch.

With a great lineup of music all day, cooking workshops and demonstrations by acclaimed chefs of the calibre of the ‘Cook Up’ host Adam Liaw and some amazing food and wine, with Gippsland produce at the forefront, no wonder it was a sold out event.

And didn’t Bass Coast and South Gippsland food, wine and other beverage producers put their best foot forward.

There were seven festival bars, run by leading producers Patrick Sullivan and William Downie, Momento Mori and Bandicoot Run, Dirty Three Wines, Sailors Grave, Good Land Brewing, Gurneys Cider and Loch Brewery and Distillery, and if that wasn’t enough there were another 14 top-drawer winemakers offering free tastings at the Wine Gippsland Cellar; including the likes Bass River and Harman Wines

But, without a doubt, it’s the weather that really makes a day like this and it was absolutely superb.

Just right early, a bit on the cooler side, but ideal for cruising around with a glass in hand and on the hunt for the tastiest of treats.

And then, as the afternoon turned into evening, the weather just got better, leaving visitors, locals and hosts wanting more.

What a great advertisement the day was for Bass Coast, South Gippsland and our incredible producers.

If the top Melbourne restaurants weren’t out and about signing up some new local suppliers, they will certainly hear about it from their colleagues.

A great event, well planned and executed and didn’t the visitors love it… let’s do it again soon.