Marco Pierre White reveals his favourite Melbourne restaurants

Australian TravellerBy Australian Traveller
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How many people in the world are there who are recognisable by only their first name? Cher, Oprah, Jesus – any others? Well, in the food world, there’s Marco.

Known as one of the first celebrity chefs, and a pioneer of the UK restaurant scene, Marco Pierre White is a name synonymous with both food and personality.

 

It’s been a decade of back-and-forth trips to Australia for the now 57 year old who first made his mark on our national culinary scene in the early 2000s. And now, the godfather of modern cooking is returning to celebrate Good Food Month in Melbourne.

 

When I first received the call-up to interview the great man himself, I was admittedly nervous. My mother fawns over celebrity chefs like they’re The Beatles, and like many young Australians, I grew up watching MasterChef Australia,  – where Marco Pierre White was often a guest-judging (and fear inducing) fixture.

 

Almost overnight he became a household name at many dinner tables around the country. And after chatting to him, it seems the love is mutual.

 

“Since travelling here a decade ago, Australia has become one of my favourite places," he says.

 

“Australians are in love with food. Everyone from household cooks to five-star chefs have had somewhat of a gastronomic revolution. For me, to come from England, it’s a long way. And when I go to Melbourne, or Sydney or Perth, I remember why I love it so much."

 

This time around, it’s Melbourne.

 

Marco is set to host three events at Melbourne’s Good Food Month, happening throughout June at various venues around the city.

Marco is set to host three events at Melbourne’s Good Food Month

1. An Evening with Marco Pierre White: one of Australia’s most highly awarded chefs, Phil Wood, will honour Marco by recreating dishes from White Heat.

 

2. Young Chefs Lunch with Marco Pierre White: Melbourne’s next generation of culinary superstars present an extraordinary lunch.

 

3. Sunday Best with Marco Pierre White and Andrew McConnell: Together, Marco Pierre White and one of Melbourne’s greatest, Andrew McConnell, are going to elevate the Sunday Roast in the way only these two super chefs can.

 

Like us, you might be wondering, where does such a famed chef choose to dine when he’s in Melbourne?

 

“Well, I’m a creature of habit you see. When I like something I keep going back to it. I go to certain restaurants for certain things."

 

So behold, Marco Pierre White’s Melbourne restaurant bucket list…

1. Tipo 00

Named after a finely ground flour used to make pizza and pasta, Tipo 00 is an Italian staple of the Melbourne CBD.

 

Housed in a laneway, this intimate, sophisticated space serves clean, simple Italian within an open kitchen and marble bar.

 

According to Marco, you should stop here for a “bowl of pasta or risotto."

 

“I also have the prosciutto, and the haloumi."

 

Noted

Tipo 00
The marble bench of Tipo 00
Head to Tipo00 for some Marco approved pasta or risotto

2. Flower Drum

In China, ‘Flower Drum’ is known as a traditional dance famous for its beauty and elegance.

 

In Melbourne, it’s known as a classic Chinese restaurant, described by Marco as “authentic, pleasant, and an excellent experience from start to finish."

 

Like many, Marco is enthralled by both Gilbert Lau’s Flower Drum and Lau’s Family Kitchen – the St Kilda restaurant owned and operated by Lau’s sons, Jason and Michael.

 

“A good dining experience is about the food, yes. But every person I’ve ever looked up to, all my heroes, it’s not about the food, or the cooking process, it’s about the story. Without the story, what are we?"

 

Talking Flower Drum specifics, “I tend to have the braised ox cheek."

 

“I have the duck. I have the lobster with spring onion, ginger and noodles. And then I have toffee bananas. Every time I go."

Flower Drum famous peking duck
Won ton soup

3. Añada

Marco describes Añada, a Fitzroy institution, as “a typical Spanish cafe, with a simpler, more casual dining feel."

 

“Gertrude Street is my favourite place to eat in Melbourne, without a doubt," and when in town, he always makes a point of dining at this snug little eatery.

 

The tapas menu focuses largely on the peasant food of Andalusia in southern Spain, and the flavours of the Muslim Mediterranean.

Share plates at Anada
Share plates at Anada

4. Cutler and Co

Another Gertrude Street hangout, Cutler and Co is located inside an old metal works factory, paying homage to Melbourne’s first industrial area.

 

Opened in February 2009 by chef Andrew McConnell, the restaurant reflects a passion for exceptional produce and memorable dining experiences.

 

In the restaurant you’ll find diners feasting on upscale modern Australian fare, and if you look hard enough, maybe Marco Pierre White? The trick to finding him?

 

“Well, I always sit with my back to the restaurant."

Simplistic elegance at Cutler and Co
Light-filled interiors

 

Don’t miss Marco Pierre White at Melbourne’s Good Food Month. Head here for tickets and more information.

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This hidden region in Victoria is home to a peaceful lake trail

    Craig TansleyBy Craig Tansley
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    Video credit: Tourism Australia

    From pink salt landscapes to oases fringed by forests of red gums, the lakes of this rural region are astounding. 

    You’re going to find peace and quiet when you take a road trip through the lakes of the Wimmera Mallee region. Whether it’s mirror-like pink salt lakes that look like an inland sea, or lakes fringed by forests of red gums that showcase Victoria’s arid beauty, there’s a lake for you out here somewhere.  

    1. Lake Tyrrell  

    Lake Tyrrell
    The colours of Lake Tyrrell blend into the sky. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

    Located in the dead heart of the Mallee, Victoria’s largest salt lake, Lake Tyrrell , is a landscape photographer’s dream – especially at sunrise and sunset when the pink salt flats look like a gigantic mirror. It’s easy to camp or park a caravan nearby, too, though the tiny town of Sea Lake is just south (with accommodation). In winter, shallow water covers the salt, creating surreal reflections of the sky.  

    2. Nhill Lake  

    There’s a permanent water source here, so there’s always plenty of water for water skiing, swimming and fishing (the trout and redfin fishing here is legendary). Located beside the pretty heritage town of Nhill with its main street of historic buildings, there’s options for eating and drinking right next door. There’s also a barbecue area with plenty of shady picnic spots and a boardwalk for walking around the lake.  

    3. Lake Bringalbert  

    Lake Bringalert
    Lake Bringalert is a great spot for aquatic adventures.

    Located south-west of the pretty Mallee town of Kaniva, Lake Bringalbert epitomises the best of ‘outback’ Victoria. It’s ringed by red gums and red mallee and feels completely hidden from the world – you’ll barely ever see another person. There’s basic camping on its foreshore and Kaniva offers more accommodation options. It’s the perfect lake for swimming, kayaking and skiing, and the stars at night come without even a hint of city glow.  

    4. Lake Hindmarsh 

    If you’re a bird fan, you’ll love Lake Hindmarsh . Located north of Dimboola, Victoria’s largest natural freshwater lake is like an inland sea full of pelicans, swans and numerous species of ducks – but it also teems with everything from spoonbills to parrots. Sunsets here will blow your mind – the lake is a mirror for the pinks and golds you’ll see on the horizon. There’s free camping spots along the foreshore if you’d like to really contemplate the magic of the lake.  

    5. Pink Lake 

    pink lake
    The Pink Lake is most vivid after rain. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

    Also known as Loch Lel , the summer months offer up some seriously vivid pink water colour at this lake north of Dimboola. The pink varies throughout the year, but is best after rain (hence why summer is the time to visit).

    pink lake
    Pink Lake, also known as Loch Lel, is located near Dimboola in the Grampians. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    There’s plenty of birds, including wedge-tailed eagles, but you’re as likely to spot big lace monitors, kangaroos and echidnas. Nearby, check out the uber-cute heritage town of Dimboola and its eclectic shops, and Little Desert National Park, full of walking trails through mallee heathland. 

    6. Lake Lascelles 

    Lake Lascelles
    You can camp at Lake Lascelles.

    On a hot summer’s day, there’s nowhere better for a cooling dip, kayak or boat ride. You can camp by the lake , or at powered caravan sites – or the pretty town of Hopetoun offers numerous accommodation options a short walk away. At night you’ll see the lights of Hopetoun reflect off the lake. Fish for yellow belly, redfin or catfish, or try water-skiing. There’s also a great walking trail around the lake, where there’s more birds than you can count.