The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival Redux. Or rather, reflux & breakfast at Cumulus Inc.

The only thing i've experienced which is more grueling than the last 3 days and nights of rich foods and copious varied alcoholic beverages was the last Diggers and Dealers conference I attended some years back. But the environs, and the company i enjoyed, at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival has been infinitely more pleasurable than the questionable delights of the Palace Hotel with its temporary Queensland-sourced contractors.


My breakfast - love the perfectly baked egg!


I have to say, though, that there can in fact be too much of a good thing; all that rich food has almost been too much for my ageing constitution. I enjoyed a pleasant late breakfast with Samantha this morning at Cumulus Inc. (serving brekkie on Saturday until 11.30am), and despite the delicious food, cheerful service and bustling atmosphere, I needed a glass of Calvados to settle the tummy - the tamarind flavours of Atul Kochhar's magnificent creations the night before finally stopped wafting back up. No antacid for me. I prefer to self-medicate with natural alcohols.

It's been a great trip, and I love Melbourne, but the feeling of knowing that you are heading home is indescribably good. I promise I will find the time to recount the last 3 dinners before the week is out. Stay tuned.

And in the meantime, I'm looking forward to implementing my tips on airline cuisine ...