As the official hotel partner, Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street’s Luci restaurant will host the festival’s opening night party on 22 March, 2024.

The hotel will also be the official Melbourne base for many renowned national and international chefs who will be guests of the festival, including Sarah Cicolini of Rome’s Santo Palato; Dan Hong, head chef at Mr Wong in Sydney; Neil Perry, head chef and co-owner of Margaret in Sydney; Japanese chef Kanji Kobayashi; Hanoi chef Sam Tran; Chicago’s birria king, Jonathan Zaragoza; and London’s Noble Rot founders, Dan Keeling and Mark Andrew.

“The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is thrilled to be partnering with one of the city’s gems, Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street,” says Food + Drink Victoria CEO Anthea Loucas Bosha.

“This partnership marks an exciting chapter for both [entities] and our visiting chefs and attendees will be sure to fall in love with the Art Deco grandeur of the hotel, its beautiful restaurant, Luci, as well as its central CBD location with Melbourne on its doorstep.”

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival attendees will have access to an exclusive Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street hotel room offer. Every festival ticket holder receives 20 per cent off the base hotel room rate from 14-25 March, 2024.

“Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is a true celebration of Melbourne and its reputation as the food capital of Australia, with world-class guests and events,” says Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street general manager Jeremy Healy.

“The partnership with Hilton is set to elevate the overall experience for attendees, offering a seamless blend of opulent accommodation and immersive gastronomic adventures.

“We can’t wait to showcase our beautiful restaurant, Luci, and the hotel to a local, national and international audience.”