Top chefs help to put Australia on the menu for international business events

10 Dec 2013  2039 | World Travel News

SYDNEY - Australian food icons Guy Grossi, Shannon Bennett and Luke Mangan, and Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre’s (MCEC) renowned Executive Chef Tony Panetta, are helping to ensure Australia is on the menu for international business events planners attending Dreamtime 2013 – which opens in Melbourne.

Dreamtime 2013 is Tourism Australia’s signature event showcasing the outstanding incentive experiences on offer throughout Australia to 85 international business events decision makers (buyers) and 18 international media from 12 countries, ensuring that the country’s $12.9 billion business events sector is on track to grow to up to $16 billion annually by 2020.

As part of Tourism Australia’s strategy to promote Australia’s fine food and wine experiences to the world, the very best local produce will take centre stage at Dreamtime 2013, with menus designed exclusively by some of Australia’s most internationally recognised and revered chefs.

This morning, Guy Grossi and Tony Panetta treated some of the international delegates to a gourmet behind-the-scenes breakfast at MCEC, with the centrepiece of the menu being a perfectly poached 63-degree organic egg, cooked carefully in its shell for over two-hours.

This afternoon, Shannon Bennett of Vue De Monde will pick up the culinary baton with a distinctly Australian menu at Vue Events at the Rialto, including local delicacies such as tea tree smoked salmon pearls, emu jerky, salt cured wallaby and marron.

Tomorrow night, it is Luke Mangan’s opportunity to impress Dreamtime 2013 delegates with a three-course menu featuring Tasmanian salmon and Victorian beef.

Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy said the weeklong Dreamtime event was an opportunity to ensure Australia remains top-of-mind internationally as an exceptional place to meet and do business.

“Exceptional experiences and world-class destinations, with the backdrop of a pristine natural environment, are key reasons why Australia consistently ranks as a preferred business events destination for the international market,” Mr McEvoy said.

“Increasingly however it is our reputation as a culinary destination that is drawing business events to Australia, so what better place than Melbourne to get our 2013 Dreamtime program underway."

Melbourne Convention Bureau Chief Executive Officer Karen Bolinger said hosting Dreamtime 2013 was a tremendous business opportunity to showcase Melbourne as an incentive travel destination.

“We are delighted to welcome international buyers and media to Melbourne for Dreamtime 2013,” she said.

“During Dreamtime, our guests will see why Melbourne is the spiritual home of Australia’s culinary renaissance, and experience the world’s most liveable city which is brimming with out-of-box activities perfect for incentive programs.”

With increased air capacity into Australia an ongoing focus, Tourism Australia is pleased to have Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines on board for Dreamtime as Platinum and Gold sponsors respectively.

Chief Commercial Officer for Virgin Australia, the Platinum airline sponsor for Dreamtime 2013, Judith Crompton said, “Servicing over 46 destinations around Australia and more than 460 around the world, we are delighted to be highlighting Australia as a world-class destination for business events with Dreamtime.

“Over the past three years we have transformed the customer experience on the ground and in the air and key to this has been our partnership with internationally acclaimed chef, Luke Mangan. Whether travelling domestically or internationally we are passionate about taking our airline dining experience to new heights.”

Regional Vice President South West Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Gold airline sponsor for Dreamtime 2013, Subhas Menon said, “Singapore Airlines has been bringing the world to Australia for over 45 years and in that time we have not hesitated and continue to embrace Australia’s quality produce and culinary expertise to create a fine dining experience in the sky.

“Great food and wine is a significant part of any travel experience and we’re looking forward to showcasing to international buyers and media signature dishes created by Matt Moran, who marks his tenth anniversary on our International Culinary Panel of world renowned chefs, and our current pours carefully selected by our wine panel, which includes Australia’s first of Master of Wine, Michael Hill Smith.”

The comprehensive Dreamtime 2013 program, held from 9 to 13 December, commences in Melbourne with business and networking events followed by three days of educational visits to Adelaide, Cairns, Gold Coast, Northern Territory and Sydney.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews

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