World of fine food

By Bridget Cook
BOLLYWOOD dancers, camels and an array of cuisines helped launch Dandenong’s involvement in the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival on Saturday (13 March).
The Drum Theatre was a hive of activity as community members, business owners and council delegates gathered to celebrate the launch the event.
At the same time Melbourne Food and Wine Festival Creative Director Tony Tan hosted the first World of Food Tour through Dandenong.
From 13 to 20 March about 600 people will take part in the tours – The Little India Tour, Afghan Bazaar Tour and World of Food Passport Tour.
Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti said it was an exciting time for the area being involved in the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival for the fist time.
“Greater Dandenong is a very multi-cultural city and this week we celebrate that,” Cr Memeti said.
“This is a chance to sample some of the sensational cuisine on offer.
“We hope you enjoy our city as much as we do.”
Minister for Tourism and Major Events Tim Holding said Greater Dandenong was a great representative of what Melbourne had to offer.
“Melbourne is an incredible city, but we don’t point to a physical icon to show that,” Mr Holding said.
“We point to our lifestyle … our diversity and amazing culinary characteristics.
“And there’s no better place to show that than Greater Dandenong.”
The Jhoom Bollywood dancers put on a performance to help celebrate and camels in traditional Afghan dress helped top off the celebrations.
Local MP John Pandazopoulos revealed plans to increase Dandenong involvement in the festival the future.
“It is important to bring the community closer together, but also to bring people who don’t know Dandenong closer to the area,” he said.
“Let’s aim higher … let’s all keep kicking goals for Dandenong.”