Launched in 1993 the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival has grown to become the largest annual food and wine festival in the world. Attendances are growing annually with a record attendance of more than 300,000 people attending the 2007 festival meaning the festival rivals other events like the AFL Grand Final and the Australian Open tennis finals.The Event continues to receive both local and international acclaim. In 2004 it was nominated as one of the world’s hottest tickets by the Chicago Tribune, Australian Financial Review and by Canada’s Globe and Mail. It was the only event in the Southern Hemisphere nominated and the only food and wine festival selected by these international papers.The Festival has assisted to leverage Melbourne’s international acclaim for culinary excellence with the annual pilgrimage of highly acclaimed international chefs visiting and experiencing the fabulous food offerings to be had in Melbourne.In 2007 Melbourne food & Wine hosted international culinary luminaries such as Rose Gray of London's River Cafe, Sam and Sam Clark of London's Moro, Andoni Luis Aduriz of Restaurant Mugaritz in Spain and Will Goldfarb of NewYork's Room 4 Desert.“I’ve waited seven years to get to Melbourne and loved every second of it. I was blown away by the love and passion for sharing which makes the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival such a roaring success.” New York Pastry Sensation and 2007 MasterClass chef, Will Goldfarb“I have been stunned at the progress Melbourne has made – the quality of chefs and restaurants is excellent and the Victorian people have a great food sensibility,” Melbourne-born 2007 MasterClass chef and award winning author, Jennifer McLagan“This is my third visit to Melbourne and I’ve got Melbourne now. I don’t know whether that sounds very intelligent but the last two times I came to Melbourne it seemed like a big city and I couldn’t work out why people wanted to be there. Now I think I know. Partly because the weather has been amazing, partly because of the Festival itself and the buzz that’s here. It’s amazing to come to a place as small as Melbourne and have the opportunity to bump into some of the major food figures of the world. I think it is rather amazing to go to Mugaritz and not meet the chef and then to come to Melbourne and meet him here!” the legendary Rose Gray of London’s River Café, 2007 MasterClass chef.“For a piece de resistance in a city obsessed with food, little beats the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.” www.whatsonwhen.com“this is Australia's greatest food and wine festival”. Yahoo TravelYahoo Travel User Review “I did not dislike anything, it was great because the food was top class and had no disappointments. It gives you the chance to sample all foods and wine from the area and believe you me, some of the wines were fabulous as well as the food. Well worth a visit.” *****,In 2004 New York super chef Mario Batali went on record to describe his time in Melbourne for the 2003 Festival as the highspot of his year alongside touring Italy with REM.“I’d rather eat in Melbourne than Paris” Anthony Bourdain – author, chef and presenter of US TV series A Cook’s Tour.“Melbourne in the culinary engine room of Australia” Gordon Ramsay – London’s only four Michelin star chef.The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is a unique event which operates on a not for profit basis. The Festival's charter is to promote the quality produce, talent and lifestyle of Melbourne and Victoria and to reinforce Melbourne as the pre-eminent culinary city of Australia.The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival commenced in 1993 with a simple program of 12 events. Since its inception it has grown annually, with the 2007 Festival (held on March 16 - March 30) encompassing over 150 events over a two week period.The Festival has the strong support and respect of the food, wine and hospitality industry and has worked with and for the industry, showcasing Melbourne as an outstanding food and wine capital to the rest of the world.On an annual basis the Festival attracts food and wine experts from across the world, including world-renowned chefs and winemakers, growers, purveyors, authors, food and wine commentators and critics to present alongside some of Australia's best.In June 2000 Melbourne was named one of the great wine cities of the world along, with Bordeaux, Florence, San Francisco, Santiago and Oporto. Melbourne is also the first city outside Italy to be announced a Slow Food City by the international Slow Food organisation, further reinforcing its recognised culinary culture.The Festival is managed by a Board of Management and is supported by a small and committed team who are responsible for the successful coordination of its iconic events.