Food festival will spring to life in regional Victoria this November

Interstate chefs Analiese Gregory and Danielle Alvarez are among the highlights of a new November food festival in regional Victoria, announced on Monday by Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.

The two chefs will join local Alejandro Saravia (Farmer's Daughters) and cult Thornbury cake-maker Mali Bakes in a carnival-like event, called The Village Feast, in Gippsland agricultural hub Thorpdale. The weekend also features kids' activities and stalls from local producers such as winemaker William Downie and dairy farmer Sallie Jones.

Bespoke itineraries at luxury stays such as Lake House Daylesford and The Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld are also on offer, with tours of kitchen gardens, beehives, wine tastings in private cellars and face-time with producers.

The 10-day festival also spotlights the High Country, with the popular progressive dinner event, Crawl and Bite, heading to Bright, Rutherglen and Beechworth, where it will take in venues such as The Fields in Mansfield and Milawa Cheese.

Ballarat is another focus, with the city's many historic buildings providing a unique backdrop to equally unique menus, such as a degustation in the basement of the Mechanics' Institute, built in 1859.

The program complements Melbourne Food & Wine Festival's metropolitan program in March.

Events take place November 18-27 across Victoria. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday September 30. melbournefoodandwine.com.au