Food & Beverage Trade Week - Victoria Plates Up its Best for International Buyers
The state’s premier inbound trade mission targeting the global food and beverage market – is in full swing today with more than 150 leading international buyers and investors visiting more than 100 local companies at the Fine Food Australia trade show in Melbourne. The World Loves Melbourne was privileged to attend a Laneway Tour - the Orient with some of the delegates, showcasing Melbourne's stunning laneways with a triage of foodie experiences along the way.
Our Food and Beverage tour stopped at the fabulous Magic Mountain Saloon, Gingerboy and then Seamstress. What a night!
Cam Smith addressing delegates at Magic Mountain Saloon.
Sophisticated cocktails included this Venenciano with Aperol and Prosecco on arrival.
Cured King Fish with Green Prawn was a highlight, as was the Sour Pork Sausage with Smoked Tomato Relish and Cucumber and Ginger. Wrapped in Betel Leaf, the Lotus Root, Peanut and Pickled Turnip and Tapioca Dumpling was a texture and flavour sensation. Katrina the owner also spoke to delegates about the food at Magic Mountain Saloon; authentic Thai flavours with full spice.
Cam Smith took us through eclectic Melbourne laneways, such a key part of Melbourne life, including the iconic Meyers Place.
Cam also took us past the iconic Pellegrinis; the original Melbourne cafe.
Then it was off to Gingerboy for our main course. Gingerboy is a fabulous Melbourne restaurant that showcases Asian influences in the cuisine. Modern dining at its best.
Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade, Philip Dalidakis was in good humour engaging delegates.
Gingerboy served up some stunning dishes including the Szechuan Lamb as well as their specialty Red Duck Curry. That sauce!
The Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade, Philip Dalidakis engaged with the leading international buyers and investors on the tour. “Our targeted inbound trade missions have proven to be hugely successful, with 2015 Victoria’s biggest export year yet and even more success stories coming out of this year’s programs", said Mr Dalidakis. “We’re bringing the world to our doorstep so that more Victorian businesses have more opportunities to form sustainable partnerships that will help them grow, create jobs and strengthen our local economies.”
For the next four days, delegates from across Asia, the Middle East and the Americas will have the opportunity to meet with Victoria’s world class dairy, meat and processed food producers in the state’s prime agricultural regions including Gippsland, the Goulburn Valley, the Yarra Valley and greater Geelong.
The site tour program has been tailored to suit the interests of the visiting delegates and will allow them to experience first-hand the regions where Victoria’s food is grown, processed and manufactured.
They will meet with local industry leaders such as Burra Foods, Pactum, Tatura Milk, Coffee Mio, and Heritage Fine Chocolates.
The program also includes one-on-one business matching sessions and a range of networking events, supporting Victorian companies to establish and strengthen international trade relationships, secure new investments and grow their businesses.
Seamstress was our next stop for dessert and cocktails; and who can't help notice the spectacular ceiling display of garments?
With a global reputation for producing and exporting premium clean and green products, Victoria is Australia’s leading exporter of dairy, horticultural products, prepared foods and vegetables.
The state’s food and fibre sector now employs more than 190,000 Victorians and in 2014–15 food and fibre exports were valued at $11.6 billion, an increase of $282 million compared to the previous year.
Across the same period, the state accounted for 83 per cent of Australia’s dairy exports, 48 per cent of horticultural exports and 41 per cent of prepared food exports.
Espresso Martinis - very Melbourne!
FBTW is part of a four-year $12 million Andrews Labor Government initiative to build a strong and sustainable inbound trade mission program that allows us to bring investors from key international markets to our doorstep.
The Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford also enjoyed one of the tours. “Victoria is known the world-over for the highest environmental, safety and quality standards for our food and fibre products – everything from premium meat and dairy to a vast range of quality processed foods, she said.”“This is a great opportunity to show more of the world’s key food and beverage markets that we really do have the best of everything here in Victoria.”