Feast for century of learning

WINE, women, food and song will make up the perfect four-course menu with which to celebrate 100 years of Swinburne education.
The celebration dinner will take place at Swinburne University in Lilydale on 7 March.
A string trio, Australian Opera divas, five courses designed by chef Robert Clark, walks around the Swinburne grounds and premium Yarra Valley wines by starlight, make up the celebratory package.
The inspiration for what promises to be a very special evening sprung from a simple question according to Brook Powell of Mitchell’s View Restaurant at Swinburne.
“A student in my class last year asked why our restaurant is called Mitchell’s View,” Ms Powell said.
“This function is the Hospitality Department’s answer.” Ms Powell said the Mitchell family’s generosity had been incredibly important to the Swinburne University of Technology TAFE.
“The Mitchell family has a long history here in the Yarra Valley; the most famous member of the clan being Helen Porter Mitchell, otherwise known as Dame Nellie Melba.”
To help celebrate the Swinburne Centenary, its history and to recognise its students’ inspiration the university has planned very special evening.
“Robert is referencing Melba’s two E’scoffier entries, the region, the season and the decadent nature of the event in the food,” Ms Powell said.
All wines will be matched to the menu – each wine having it’s own place in the Mitchell story.
Entertainment is equally as delicious. A string trio will stroll around the grounds then Australian Opera divas will perform between courses.
Melba classics will lead the way followed later in the evening by what Ms Powell describes as a more bawdy, burlesque cabaret, still in operatic style, from the Divas Inc.
“Divas Inc is a dazzling, amusing and vocally breathtaking act from three of Australia’s finest young opera singers, all of whom are employed regularly by major national opera companies,” she explained.
“This is going to be a truly beautiful night highlighting the magnificent synergies between music, land, art, food and wine.”
To book phone Ms Powell on 9215 7049.