Creative force unveiled to shape Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

Melbourne Food and Wine announces a Creative Director Panel of four leading experts across the food and wine sector, ahead of the 2009 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. They are:

 • Creative Director, Global – Jill Dupleix, renowned food writer and author

• Creative Director, Cultural – Tony Tan, culinary teacher and food expert

• Creative Director, Regional and Sustainability – Richard Cornish, investigative food journalist and writer

• Creative Director, Wine – Ben Edwards, leading sommelier and wine expert

Natalie O’Brien, CEO, Melbourne Food and Wine said the new model will inject conceptual ideas and direction for Festival programming.

“Melbourne is one of the strongest foodie cities in the world, because Melburnians don’t just eat out, they shop, chop, cook and think about food every day. That’s why Melbourne Food and Wine Festival has achieved such an iconic status in its 17 years – because it is a genuine celebration of both people and place”, said Jill Dupleix.

The Panel will attend the 2009 Festival, with creative development work for the 2010 Festival commencing at a summit from 28 March, 2009.

“Moving to appoint four such outstanding experts shows the Festival’s commitment to elevating programming to the next level – and securing the Festival’s reputation as the world’s leading food and wine event,” commented Matt Preston, outgoing creative director.