So the ANZAC Day long weekend is almost upon us!! 

As already posted here, this ANZAC Day weekend, Tasmania is celebrating Fagus Festival (April 25-26) at Waterfalls Cafe in Mount Field National Park. Ben Milbourne is cooking a four course degustation dinner on Friday & Saturday night. Though Saturday night bookings have been closed, but you can still book for Friday night dinner. If you want, you can have a look at the menu for the dinner....& after that you will regret if you haven't booked yet!!

 

Wait wait....there are more surprises awaiting you!! 

If you go to the dinner, you will not only get lucky enough to enjoy this sumptous dinner cooked by Ben, but also can grab a copy of Ben's first cookbook 'Mexican Craving' at 20% discount &..&....& you can get it signed by Ben himself!!

What? You are still thinking whether to book or not????? This is your 'Once in a Lifetime Chance'...Go & grab it with both hands!!

A few random pics of Ben!

You would thank us later for such a wonderful feast to your eyes :)

This is little Ben :)

Early days of Ben Milbourne

 

Before participating in Masterchef Australia, Ben was a teacher at Parklands' High School, Tasmania. But even before that he used to live in Brisbane, Queensland. He left Tasmania at a very young age & went to Brisbane & completed a Bachelor of Applied Science, Human Movement Studies (Education) from the University of Queensland. After that, employment in the education sector has seen Ben in the roles of Sports Coordinator and Senior Physical Education Teacher. Ben is also an ex-teacher of St Michael's College in Brisbane. Apart from that, Ben had worked in the fitness and health industry as an Exercise Physiologist and Personal Trainer.

No, that's not all.

Ben had represented his home state Tasmania in under-16 Tasmanian Football & under-18 TAC cup player. He is also a former under-19 State cricket squad representative. In 2006, Ben went back to Tasmania to encourage other youngsters as a member of the Auskick flying squad and as junior development officer for his home club East Devonport Football Club in the NTFL (Tasmanian Premier League), where he also played senior football and was the club's fitness and assistant coach. Ben also played for Launceston in the NTFL.

With certificates in health and fitness and level 2 accreditation in cricket as well as football, Ben had also coached cricket and was a game development officer for the Tasmanian Cricket Association based at premier cricket association club, Sheffield. In 2008, Ben was appointed as senior coach of Springwood Puma based in Queensland.

So yes, thats Ben Milbourne before Masterchef for you in a nutshell!!

Fagus festival degustation dinner with Ben Milbourne

The turning of the Nothofagus Gunnii - commonly known as the fagus - traditionally happens around ANZAC Day.
The Fagus Festival is designed to enhance your experience of this amazing time in Mt Field National Park, Tasmania.There will be guided walks throughout the Park along with a degustation dinner on 25th & 26th April, 2014. Guest chef Ben Milbourne will create the four-course dinner using produce from the Derwent valley & and there will be plenty of local drinks on offer too. The dinner commences at 5:30pm & this is something you surely would hate to miss!! 

 

(Source: Think Tasmania, Fagus festival facebook page)

Long Table Dinners with Ben Milbourne 

A series of Long Table Dinners, as part of Ben Milbourne’s One Degree Food and Wine Experience is to be held at Ghost Rock Vineyard on the following Saturday’s in 2014: 3rd May, 7th June, 2nd August, 6th September, 4th October, 1st November. These dinners are a wonderful opportunity to experience food and wine matching and have a ‘first hand’ conversation with the Chef and Vigneron. 

The cost is $120.00 per person and is all inclusive. Dinners commence at 7pm with a glass of Catherine Sparkling on arrival and places are limited to 30 per dinner.

(Source: Ghost Rock Vineyard website)