Melbourne Chef Scott Pickett Showcases Australian Food

VISIT VICTORIA and award-winning Melburnian chef, restaurateur and media personality, Scott Pickett (ESP, Saint Crispin), hosted exclusive gastronomic experiences in Mumbai and Delhi on 20th and 21st June, 2017.

The event offered invited guests a glimpse into Melbourne’s innovative cuisine and culinary flair, complete with a masterclass and a three course dinner inspired by Pickett’s signature Melbourne restaurant, Estelle by Scott Pickett.

The evening began with an avocado masterclass, one of Pickett’s signature live sessions in which he illustrates the versatility of the avocado with perfection by taking guests on a journey through the inimitable flavours and textures of the fruit in its various states of ripeness. He then went on to charm the guests with an Australian reinvention of one of India’s most loved and globally-renowned dishes – the Bombay Duck, with his signature touch and flavours. Finally, the entire room was transformed to recreate the exquisite dining experience in Pickett’s own fine-dining restaurant ESP (Estelle by Scott Pickett) in Melbourne.

Guests were treated to a sumptuous three-course dinner that modelled some of the Estelle’s best-selling dishes such as Crab with Asparagus & Lobster, Smashed Avocado with Finger Lime as well as hand-rolled Macaroni with Parmesan and Truffle paired with a carefully curated selection of Victorian wines by the chef himself.

At the event, Pickett shared his insights on trends in the culinary industry as well as the importance of cooking with the right ingredients. They also enjoyed his warm company during dinner and learned about his exciting journey as a chef and how he carved a niche for himself amidst Melbourne’s vibrant and competitive food industry. The evening ended on a sweet note as Chef Pickett served his famous Chocolate & Avocado Mousse and guests left the venue with wonderful memories of experiencing the best of Melbourne in their very own city.

On this occasion Celia Ho, Regional Manager South and South East Asia for Visit Victoria said, “Melbourne has long been a melting pot of cultures from around the world, owing to which it has developed an ever-evolving, multi-cultural culinary scene. Melbourne was chosen to host the prestigious – ‘The World’s Best 50 Restaurants’ awards in April 2017 cementing the city’s position as Australia’s culinary capital and a global gastronomy destination.”

Ho says that Indian travellers are highly influenced by food when it comes to choosing a holiday destination.

‘Over the years Visit Victoria has worked with Melbourne chefs to help spread the message to key influencers in the Indian market and  we have seen a great response from the with a continuous increase in visitors to Victoria to experience the culinary highlights. Chef Scott Pickett is the perfect showcase of what is exciting about the restaurant and dining scene in Victoria and we are thankful for his generous time.’

Overwhelmed with the warmth he received from the guests, Pickett said, “I am a passionate Melburnian and grateful to have the opportunity to share stories about my home as well as to visit this vibrant country. The rich and diverse culture of India is inspiring and will definitely have me returning for more. I would invite everyone with a love for food to make a trip to Melbourne to experience for themselves the local talent, the abundant fresh local produce and some of Australia’s most stunning settings.”