Celebrity chef Stefano in action at the Grampians Grape Escape

Celebrity chef Stefano de Pieri, famed for his TV series ‘A Gondola on the Murray’, will thrill foodies with his culinary expertise at the annual Grampians Grape Escape from Saturday 29-Sunday 30 April at Halls Gap.

Stefano will venture across to the Grampians from Mildura, where he runs the famous ‘Stefano’s’ restaurant. He’ll hold cooking demonstrations on both days for more than 5,000 people, using regional produce in his mouth-watering creations.

Those attending the Grampians Produce/Grampians Winemakers dinner on the Saturday night will be in for a treat, with Stefano the executive chef.

In its 15th year, the Grampians Grape Escape is everyone’s dream weekend escape. Held at the town’s sporting oval, the event proves each year why the Grampians is one of Victoria’s premium wine and food producing regions and tourist destinations.

You can drink and graze your way around the makeshift village just seconds from the town’s service centre. Regional producers will come from all corners of the Grampians to showcase their painstakingly prepared goodies like olive oil, lentils, fruit and berries, yabbies, organic produce, venison and preserves. Around 25 winemakers from the region will cork hundreds of bottles to complement the delicious fresh foods.

If you want to delve deeper into the art of winemaking, there will be seminars throughout the weekend, as well as cooking demonstrations so you can impress guests at your next dinner party.

All this backed by entertainment by the Get Down Gang (funky 6-piece band), Fat Pocket (string trio performing racy polka style), contemporary guitarist Nick Charles and Celtic group Aniar.

Belly dancers will make their way amongst the sprawling picnic tables and there will be fun for the kids as well as the odd game of petanque.

The Grampians region has been producing wine since the mid 1800s and boasts the oldest producing vines and underground cellars in Australia. The weekend gives visitors the chance to taste many different cuisines and take home lots of goodies for their pantry.

To find accommodation in the area, go to www.takeabreak.com.au/TheGrampians/accomodation.htm

For more information contact the Halls Gap Visitor Information Centre on 1800 065 599 or visit
www.grampiansgrapeescape.com.au