13 March 2008

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

A sit-down lunch for 280 guests would make any restaurant manager nervous - especially one with eight courses served at a long single table on a lively Melbourne street.

But eager students from Victoria University's (VU) School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events are raring to move beyond their training kitchen and practice restaurant for the real-life challenge of the annual Yarraville Village Lunch, to be held on Sunday 16 March from 12.30pm to 5.00pm.

The event is a partnership between VU and the Yarraville Village Traders Association, with the support of Maribyrnong City Council.

VU culinary teacher, Jacqueline Bates, said about 70 VU students will be involved in the outdoor banquet, helping with preparation, serving and clearing.

She said: "The students are looking forward to being part of a real event and seeing what some of the local restaurants are doing. It's a compulsory part of their program, and it's hard work. For five hours, they do a lot of walking up and down the street."

Neighbourhood restaurants, as well as VU's training kitchen, will each provide one of the courses. The food is then assembled, heated if necessary, and served by students from a central hall.

Now in its fifth year, the event draws food-lovers every March to the bustle and charm of Ballarat Street.This year's lunch has a 1970s theme, with entertainment provided by tribute performers channelling the sounds of ABBA, the Village People, Elvis Presley and Tom Jones.

A diverse menu will reflect the area's multicultural mix. It includes oysters with spicy mango salsa, papaya salad, pumpkin tart, goat biryani, home-made sausages, and white chocolate panacotta with rosella syrup.

Proceeds from the event go to the Yarraville Village Traders Association Scholarships for Victoria University, which cover training fees for first-year VU hospitality students.

The Yarraville Village Lunch will take place outside the Sun Theatre in Ballarat Street on Sunday 16 March from 12.30pm to 5.00pm.

Further information about VU's involvement in the Yarraville Village Lunch: Jacqueline Bates, Culinary Teacher, Hospitality, Tourism and Events, VU. Ph: (03) 9919 8572. 

Media Contact: Andy Gash, Snr. Media Officer
Marketing and Communications Department, Victoria University
Ph: (03) 9919 4950; mobile: 0411 255 900.