What to expect
Much more than just a long lunch…
This year on 23RD NOVEMBER 2024, our first event will be held at Wilimee Wines in the Macedon Ranges in Victoria. Here, amidst ancient vines on rare Cambrian soil, you’ll savour their high-altitude Chardonnay and unique underwater-aged Pinot Noir.
When it comes to food, our Hatted Chef – Rob Kabboord – will craft a delicious wellness menu to complement our location, working with local and organic produce that sings with so much flavour and vitality. You’re in good company with Rob’s fellow chefs, Yonatan Rotner and Hind Boughedaoui - the team will work their magic using an open fire and outdoor kitchen to deliver a 4 course menu that will have your taste buds dancing.
But before we get to our table you’ll engage in a guided tour of the vines with Ben Ranken from Wilimee Wines, deepening your connection to the environment and yourself. We’ll also have music, a sound experience and some spoken word/poetry that will soothe the soul and connect you deeper to your wellness and food experience.
Dan Cully, our musical artist, draws on inspiration from the natural world, watching how life and nature move in an interconnected way. You’ll hear this inspiration throughout the day as we hear his sounds weave through the vines.
The experience runs from 12noon to 7pm, offering a full day of immersive experiences. Come in comfortable clothing and prepare to shed your shoes – no heels needed here!
We have seating for 100 so book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.
The people behind The Table
More than just a long lunch
Meet the visionaries, the humans behind the Long Table. We’re people with a passion for bringing humans together to share food, wine, connection, experiences, together in nature.
Holli Massey’s multi-faceted and diverse background uniquely positions her to craft transformative food and wellness experiences. Her journey has woven through producing and developing TV commercials and film projects, creating visual content for corporate events and mentoring authors on novel and book development through The Creative Producer. Alongside her artistic pursuits, Holli has delved deep into food and wellness, becoming a yoga instructor, nutrition and lifestyle coach, mental health peer to peer facilitator and a creative mentor. Holli runs creative retreats and food-focused events that embrace a whole-person philosophy.
Sophia Davey has a background as vibrant as her culinary creations, Sophia infuses creativity, wellness expertise, and infectious enthusiasm into every project she undertakes. An actor, personal chef, authentic communication and conscious communication coach, media professional, yoga teacher and mother, Sophia has many strings to her bow. Her true passion emerged in the culinary world, where she founded Bloom Kitchen, a successful wellness retreat catering business in Australia.
Rob Kabboord was born in Amsterdam, nowadays he is often found in the Daylesford Hotel kitchen, organizing his brigade, producers, purveyors, mongers and butchers and preparing for the daily service and execution of the highest possible standards. A prestigious and reputable long list of high end restaurant roles such as chef de cuisine at the ‘hatted’ Surly Goat, Quay, Claudes, Merricote, Windsor Hotel, Chancery Lane and more… whilst entertaining creative projects such as Floating Swine Fellowship, Gluttony & The Long Table on Tour
Yonatan Rotner. My cuisine highlights the best of locally sourced and seasonal products. I am inspired by the markets and the flavours experienced in my travels through Europe, The Middle East and South East Asia which I translate into my cooking.
Hind Boughedaoui Originally from France, Hind has lived in many countries around the world and has been calling Melbourne home for the past four years. She is a vegetarian and plant-based chef with a background in nutrition, drawing inspiration from Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Asian cuisines.
Ben Ranken has extensive experience in winemaking, having worked in many regions across Australia, France and the United States. His wine has won awards such as top ten in Australia at the James Halliday Challenge and Wine of Show at the Victorian Wine Show. He attributes his passion for wine to growing up on a family farm and vineyard in Tumbarumba, at the foothills of the Snowy Mountains in NSW.
Dan Cully is an artist who draws on inspiration from the natural world, watching how life and nature move in an interconnected way. Themes of vast landscapes and fresh mountain streams inform the creation process of this music. An intention in Daniel's style is to connect with mystical luminous forces that reach out and inform our reality, creeping, and twisting like a vine, reaching, through the dampness and darkness towards the light.
Daniel Tedford (Ogopogo, the Willie Wagtails and Ice Cream In A Mug) is a multi-instrumental performer and singer- songwriter.
His debut ‘Egoboo’ showcases a broad range of songwriting styles, from pop to folk-rock & blues. Lavishly arranged with strings, woodwind and brass, it's loony, swoony and even croony at times.
Meet Deano from Good Brew!
Nature’s Bubbly Elixir for Your Well-being.
Imagine a tantalising fusion of ancient alchemy and modern wellness, swirling together in a single, effervescent sip. Meet Kombucha, the bewitching elixir that has enchanted taste buds for over 6000 years. This enchanting concoction, born from the union of tea, time, and a dash of magic, dances on your palate with its tantalising flavours and delicate fizz, all while bestowing your body with a symphony of health benefits. Join us on a journey into the captivating world of Kombucha, where ancient tradition meets contemporary vitality, creating a refreshingly fizzy tonic that’s as good for your taste buds as it is for your well-being.
Jessie Monk is a beautiful artist out of GunaiKurnai land in Australia. She sings folk songs inspired by the people she keeps meeting, stories she keeps hearing and thresholds she keeps walking through.
Jessie’s music has a special way of transporting you to the rugged and misty shores of Ireland. Her soulful voice and heartfelt words create a powerful tapestry of sound and meaning.
Living in the Macedon Ranges stirs a deep nostalgia within local artist Sam Gardiner, as she creates work that transports her back to childhood memories. She follows her creative instincts, guided by what truly excites her; textures in nature, weathered stones, rust, and the secret stories that are held within the imperfect and discarded. Sam embraces curiosity and is guided by the abundance of inspiration that surrounds her. Creating art with mixed media provides numerous options, building and excavating surfaces that include the history of how her work evolves.
Sam loves living a creative life in the Macedon Ranges.
Sam and Sharon will exhibit their art from the beautiful trees that surround the Wilimee property.
Poems 4 Trade is an on-the-spot portable performing poetry service designed to provide joyful memories and poetic souvenirs for any occasion.
Whitney is a Californian born poet who will be gracing us with her quick witted thinking as she shares her art through the written and spoken word.
Sharon Pappas is an oil painter from the Macedon Ranges. She finds endless inspiration in the natural world around her. Her pieces, influenced by modern Impressionism, are alive with colour, texture, and light. Passionate about learning, she continues to explore and push the boundaries of her artistic expression to see where the journey will take her.
Sharon and Sam will exhibit their art from the beautiful trees that surround the Wilimee property.
FAQs
-
Elevate Your Senses, Enrich Your Spirit: A Transformative Multisensory Experience
Prepare to embark on a day that transcends the ordinary. At the Long Table, we've curated a holistic experience that speaks to the very depths of your being, igniting all your senses and leaving you transformed.
Event Highlights:
Hatted Chef Rob Kabboord curating a bespoke menu - Born in Amsterdam, Holland, Kabboord is often found in the 'hatted' Surly Goat kitchen in Hepburn Springs, organizing his brigade, producers, purveyors, and preparing for the daily service and execution of the highest possible standards.
Collaboration with renowned chefs Yonatan Rotner (Cumulus Ink) and Hind Boughedaoui (Free to Feed)
Wilimee Wines showcasing their high-altitude Chardonnay and unique underwater-aged Pinot Noir, with a wine tasting and tour
Live performances by singer-songwriters Dan Cully and Jessie Monk, plus a harpist and violinist
Spoken word poetry performances by Paddy Wagon and friends
Country games and comedic entertainment
This is not just a lunch, but a symphony of sight, sound, taste, and touch - a celebration of community, connection, and the rhythms of the natural world. From the moment you arrive, you'll be immersed in an atmosphere that nurtures your wellness and inspires your soul.
Set amid the breathtaking vistas of the Macedon Ranges, the Long Table invites you to slow down, disconnect from the noise of daily life, and reconnect with the simple pleasures that nourish the spirit. Breathe in the crisp, earthy aromas of the land, feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, and let the soothing melodies of live music carry you away.
Our world-class culinary team has crafted a menu that celebrates the bounty of the region. Each bite is a symphony of flavors, meticulously sourced from local farms and producers to honor the cycles of nature. Indulge in the complex notes of Wilimee's exceptional wines as you savor every morsel, allowing your palate to be transported.
But the Long Table experience extends far beyond the plate. Throughout the day, you'll be invited to engage in thoughtful conversations that deepen your connections with fellow guests. Partake in guided sound healing sessions that align your chakras and soothe your soul. Reconnect with the rhythms of the natural world through mindful movement and serene bush walks.
This is a day designed to nourish your entire being - body, mind, and spirit. Let the music of life flow through you, as you bask in the company of like-minded individuals who share your passion for wellness, community, and the finer things in life.
Embark on a journey of the senses, where every moment is an invitation to awaken, to connect, and to be transformed. Welcome to the Long Table - an experience that will linger in your heart long after the last note fades away.
-
A Feast of the Senses: Savor the Bounty of the Macedon Ranges
At the heart of the Long Table experience lies a culinary journey that celebrates the exceptional flavors and pristine produce of the Macedon Ranges. Our world-class chefs have meticulously curated a menu that showcases the region's bountiful harvests, committed to sourcing the finest, most seasonal ingredients directly from local farms and purveyors.
From the cool-climate wines of Wilimee Vineyards to the organic seasonal vegetables bursting with vitality, every element of our meal has been thoughtfully selected to honor the land and the changing rhythms of nature. This is food that nourishes the body and delights the senses, crafted with the highest standards of quality and care.
Under the expert guidance of renowned hatted Chef Rob Kabboord, our culinary team will guide you on a culinary odyssey that transcends the ordinary. Prepare to be captivated by the interplay of flavors, textures, and colors – a symphony of the region's most exceptional offerings.
Whether it's the tender grass-fed beef, the wild-caught seafood, or the vibrant array of seasonal produce, each ingredient has been sourced with the utmost attention to provenance and sustainability. We take pride in showcasing the dedicated farmers, artisans, and producers who pour their hearts into cultivating the very best that this land has to offer.
As you savor each course, allow your palate to be transported by the complex notes of the Wilimee vintages, the bright and herbaceous flavors of the local olive oils, and the rich umami notes of the region's specialty mushrooms. This is a meal that celebrates the terroir, the seasons, and the collective efforts of the passionate food community that calls the Macedon Ranges home.
Prepare to embark on a sensory adventure that marries the finest culinary craftsmanship with the abundant gifts of the local landscape. This is a dining experience that honors the rhythm of nature and the authentic flavors that arise from it.
-
At the heart of the Long Table experience are the exceptional wines of Wilimee Wines, a small family-run vineyard that embodies the essence of this remarkable region.
Wilimee's philosophy is simple: to craft great wine that reflects the unique terroir of the Macedon Ranges. Situated at an altitude of 600 meters, the cool climate is perfectly suited for the cultivation of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – the varietals that have made this appellation renowned.
Winemaker Ben Ranken and his wife, interior architect Sally Richardson, are the passionate stewards of this special place. Drawing on Ben's extensive experience and the family's generational roots in winemaking, they have harnessed the power of the land to create wines of exceptional quality and character.
The Wilimee vineyards are planted on rare Cambrian soil, some of the oldest in Australia, just next to a sacred quarry that was once mined by the Wurundjeri people for its greenstone, used to make stone axes. This geological footprint imbues the wines with a unique signature, capturing the essence of the region's rich history and natural resources.
Committed to a minimalist, natural approach, Ben and his team employ techniques like wild yeast fermentation, natural malolactic fermentation, and aging under the lunar cycle – all to preserve the purity and authenticity of the fruit. A true testament to this ethos is Wilimee's underwater-aged Pinot Noir, which spends five years submerged, developing layers of complexity and minerality.
As you savor each sip of Wilimee's high-altitude Chardonnay and exceptional Pinot Noir, you'll be transported to the heart of the Macedon Ranges – a place of elegant balance, where the elements converge to create wines of exceptional depth and character.
Join us as we celebrate the fruits of Wilimee's labor, and experience the culmination of generations of winemaking expertise and a profound connection to the land.
-
Music as the Heartbeat of the Long Table
At the Long Table, the power of music takes center stage, weaving a tapestry of sound that elevates the senses and nourishes the soul.
Prepare to be captivated by the stirring melodies of singer-songwriter Dan Cully, whose unique blend of folk, rock, and lyrical storytelling draws inspiration from the natural world. Cully's music has the power to transport you, creating a harmonious atmosphere that reflects the interconnected rhythms of life.
Joining Cully on the stage is the enchanting Jessie Monk, a folk singer, and storyteller whose soulful performance will envelop you in a warm embrace. With her evocative vocals and intricate guitar work, Jessie's music invokes the essence of the Australian bush, seamlessly blending tradition and innovation.
But the musical experiences at the Long Table don't end there. The dulcet tones of a harpist and the rich, emotive notes of a violinist will further elevate the ambiance, creating a multi-layered sonic experience that resonates with your very being.
Throughout the day, you'll also be treated to captivating spoken word poetry performances by Paddy Wagon and their talented friends. These poetic offerings will ignite your imagination and stir your heart, complementing the other sensory delights that await you.
And for those who revel in the joy of laughter and play, we've curated a lineup of comedic entertainers and country games to inject moments of levity and connection into the day's festivities.
From the first strummed chord to the final note that fades into the distance, the music of the Long Table will be the heartbeat that carries you through this transformative experience. Allow the melodies to wash over you, transporting you to a realm where the boundaries between performer and audience blur, and we all become part of the symphony of life.
-
On the day!
Address is 72 Powells track, Goldie 3435 Vic. Number 96 is at gate too. Please follow GPS directions to Lancefield.
From Lancefield take the road to Kilmore (Lancefield/ Kilmore Rd). Approximately 5 minutes out of Lancefield (over a hill range) you'll see Mt Willliam Rd on left.
Take this road for 10 minutes until you see a country fire station on right and powells track is on left. We are just past the vineyard.
Note that some GPS directions will send you to powells RD not Powells TRACK so beware of that. This is why I've given you detailed directions because beyond Lancefield the GPS is not always reliable. If your NOT heading up Mt Willliam Rd your going the wrong way!
Local taxi and driving services available.
Trains from Melbourne go from Southern Cross Station to Woodend or Kilmore. Taxi’s or drivers can be booked from here.
See Macedon-Ranges Transport in the above link.
-
There are many options for accommodation in the area. There will be a bus going to and from Kilmore Train Station + Lancefield Train Station. There will also be a bus that can be arranged to collect and drop off from accommodation in the area. Please contact us to organise your transport.
Alternatively you can camp at the vineyard for $10 a tent. To book please send an email.
-
At the Long Table, we believe that great food should be accessible to all. Our world-class culinary team, led by renowned hatted Chef Rob Kabboord, is dedicated to crafting a menu that caters to a diverse range of dietary requirements and preferences.
Whether you follow a vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or dairy-free lifestyle, or have other unique dietary needs, we've got you covered. Our chefs will work closely with you to understand your specific requirements and design personalised dishes that not only satisfy your palate but also nourish your body.
For the Long Table event, we will be serving a set menu showcasing the best seasonal produce from the Macedon Ranges. However, we understand that some guests may have specialised dietary needs. Rest assured, we are happy to accommodate vegans, vegetarians, and those with other dietary restrictions.
Using the freshest local, organic, and ethically sourced ingredients, our team will weave together flavors and textures that celebrate the bounty of the region. From delectable plant-based creations to expertly prepared meat and seafood dishes, every bite will be a harmonious symphony of taste and wellness.
We take great care in preparing each dish to ensure the highest levels of quality and safety. Our kitchen operates under stringent protocols to prevent cross-contamination and accommodate even the most complex dietary requirements.
Whether you're a seasoned foodie or simply seeking a nourishing and enjoyable dining experience, our chefs will masterfully cater to your needs, delivering a truly personalized and memorable gastronomic journey.
Indulge in the best of the Macedon Ranges, with consideration for your individual health and wellness goals. Let us craft a Long Table experience that satisfies your senses and nourishes your soul.
Please select your dietary requirements on your booking or get in touch with us!