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Wednesday 14 October 2009
The Westin Melbourne Welcomes Celebrity Chef Ben O'Donoghue
Acclaimed chef Ben O’Donoghue will take over the reigns at The Westin Melbourne’s award winning Allegro Restaurant in November. Over four days, Ben will showcase his unique and casual cooking style with a specially designed menu guaranteed to tantalise the tastebuds.
Starting Wednesday November 18 through to Saturday November 21, visitors to Allegro will be able to acquaint themselves with quintessential elements of the Australian eating experience. Ben’s exclusive four course dinner menu unites exotic flavours with a home style twist for just $85 per person. Allegro’s open kitchen will provide a window into the world of an acclaimed chef and offer an insight into the creation of every dish.
Those searching for the ultimate dining experience are invited to join Ben in an indulgent five course degustation dinner on Saturday evening which promises to be a spectacular collaboration of taste sensations. Amongst the ambience of the elegant Wine Room, guests will dine on fare such as succulent char-grilled king prawn, wasabi vinaigrette, mango and watermelon salad as well as chilled avocado soup with scallop and salmon caviar. Accompanied by Voyager wines from Western Australia, it is an epicurean experience not to be missed. At evening’s end, all in attendance will receive a signed copy of Ben’s latest book ‘Ben’s Barbecue.’ Tickets are $250 per person and places are strictly limited. All profits raised from this special event will be donated to the Starlight Children’s Foundation to assist their work with seriously ill children.
Allegro Restaurant serves dinner between 6.00 - 10.30pm daily. Bookings are essential. For reservations call Allegro direct on +61 3 9635 2200 or email allegro@westin.com
Allegro Restaurant is located on Level 1 of The Westin Melbourne at 205 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. For more information or to view the menu, visit http://www.westin.com.au/melbourne/dining-events.html
About Allegro Restaurant
The Westin Melbourne’s award winning Allegro Restaurant offers informal yet stylish dining. Featuring open kitchens, a highlight of Allegro is dining alfresco on the terrace amongst the tree tops of cosmopolitan Collins Street. The hotel’s Executive Chef regularly changes menus to showcase the best of fresh, local produce, all matched with an extensive wine list. Allegro’s signature “Platter Dining” has ensured the restaurant is popular for corporate lunches and pre-theatre dining.
About Ben O’Donoghue
Ben O’Donoghue is a familiar face on Australian television screens thanks to his popular series, Surfing the Menu. 38-year-old Ben has been a chef for 20 years and food is one of his main passions, along with surfing. Having worked at top Australian restaurants such as Jessica’s in Perth and Sydney’s Tribeca and Goodfellas restaurants, Ben went travelling and found himself in London at 26 years of age. For four years he worked at The River Café and then joined his mate Jamie Oliver at the exclusive Monte's Club as head chef.
Since moving back home Ben has been busy filming four series of the internationally acclaimed food and travel program, Surfing the Menu, a journey to source and cook with the finest, freshest ingredients from all over Australia and New Zealand. He was the food judge for LifeStyle FOOD’s Great BBQ Challenge series; and has also appeared on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and Planet Food. Ben was also a star on Channel 10's successful Masterchef series.
Ben writes a regular food column ‘Ben’s Basics’ for Olive Magazine in the UK as well as a regular column for Delicious Magazine in Australia. He is the author of the recently released book Ben’s Barbecue, published by Hardie Grant in August 2009. Visit http://www.benodonoghue.com/ for more information.