Gluttony and Glee

I like food. I mean, I REALLY like food. I don't believe in food simply being something you process through your body for means of sustenance. I LOVE eating, and trying new flavours. I'm happy to pay a bit more for a better food experience. Food. is. awesome.

Which is why I'm excited that Food Festival season is gearing up. This year I've felt cashed up enough to visit a few and I'm very pleased about it. Last weekend saw me at Chocolate Rush Festival at the Abbotsford Convent, more specifically at a chocolate and wine matching session- mmmm, two of my favourite indulgences. The wines (mostly fortified, from a Rutherglen winery called Campbells) were lovely; I could probably have stood to match them with a slightly better chocolate, but at a push Heritage will do me.

Sadly, the chocolate market was disappointing, and far overshadowed by the non-chocolate providores. The thing with a chocolate festival is that it draws Chocolate Aficionados and Old Gold Devotees alike. Of course the manufacturers are aware of this, and thus the cheaper end of the chocolate spectrum is well represented. A few of my favourite hand made producers were represented (Lizzy's(Carnegie) and Xocolatl (Canterbury and Kew East)), but I'm just as likely to visit their stores to sample their full range, and so was disappointed with the lack of exciting new chocolate discoveries.

Luckily, the non-chocolate market stalls made up for the chocolate deficiencies. Two thumbs up to Meredith Dairy, who produce irresistible goats' cheese- I shouldn't have touched it (evil lactose), but once I'd tasted, I kept coming back. Also thoroughly impressed by the olive oil, cider and chutney producers. I ended up leaving with a bag of goodies: marinated and blue goat cheese; extra virgin and basil infused olive oils; ingredients for mulled cider; and a deliciously savoury spiced tangelo confiture.

The Convent is a really nice space, and it's exciting to see some of the developments down there as more businesses set up shop. Food wise there are some delicious options. For starters, the first and third Saturdays of the month the area is host to farmers' markets. The Convent Bakery is also a great place to drop into- the egg and spinach pizza I tried there was lovely, nice and light, but really flavoursome. And I'm excited to realise that there is a Lentil As Anything at the Convent. Lentil is a brilliant, brilliant concept. Staffed by volunteers, the rotating menu is vegetarian and oh-so-tasty. At Convent, it runs the gamut of basic breakfast options like eggs and muesli, to the Sri Lankan Farmer's Breakfast (Roti parcels filled with egg and spiced rice). Later in the day, try a mixed curry platter or a lentil burger. Most excitingly, Lentil doesn't have prices; you pay what you feel, so if you're feeling weighed down by cash today, shell out. Otherwise, pay what you can.

I love love love pigging out on vegetarian food. Recently I enjoyed a great group vegaquarian dinner (farewelling a friend relocating overseas), but my usual vego gluttony venue is the brilliant Moroccan Soup Bar. How exciting to realise that Nick's sister's birthday is around the corner, which means a trip to Moroccan... which means the delicious (and extremely well priced) banquet... which means the most delicious chickpea bake in the world! One day, I truly do intend to try the soup at the Moroccan Soup Bar... but the banquet is just so hard to resist!

On the same weekend, I'll also be taking myself to the Taste of Melbourne Festival at the Royal Exhibition Centre in Carlton. This event showcases chefs from high end (and high priced) Melbourne restaurants; the chefs prepare a selection of 'taste' plates, allowing the opportunity for festival goers to try a range of different restaurant experiences. Good advertising line for the restaurants too, I imagine! This festival also features chef q&a sessions, a provisions market and information sessions.

Mmmmm, all this talk of food is making me hungry... better grab a snack!