Offering a far from conventional approach to food and wine, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) served more than 700 cycling enthusiasts, and fans of France and its fine fare, with a menu created by MCEC’s executive chef Shaun Bowles in consultation with Philippe Mouchel, one of the world’s finest French chefs on Friday 22 July 2011.
MCEC Executive chef Chef Shaun Bowles.
Organised by The French-Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Victorian Tour de France lunch was hosted by fellow French chef and TV personality Gabriel Gaté and former athlete turned sports media expert David Culbert.
The four course menu featured classic French dishes and desserts, including one of Mouchel’s own dishes the terrine de campagne, accompanied by a selection of specialty French fromages and wines.
Executive chef Shaun Bowles said: “the menu was inspired by the regions the Tour de France race passes through, offering traditional French cuisine using seasonal Victorian ingredients.”
Philippe Mouchel said he had absolute confidence in Shaun’s menu selection and the quality of dishes served by the MCEC kitchen.
“I was happy to let Shaun take the lead on developing this menu knowing that he would represent the dishes of France well and when I visited the MCEC kitchen for the menu tasting, I was very pleased, “ Mouchel said.
The Tour de France lunch also featured a discussion panel with former Olympic champion Nicholas Green, sports media expert David Culbert and SBS sports journalist Sophie Smith.
