The theme for the 2002 Masters of Australian Food and Wine will be Victoria - "The Taste of Australia" and the focus will be on the wonderful produce from the state of Victoria.

In conjunction with Fine Food 2002, the 3rd Masters of Australian Food and Wine will be a Food Service showcase event, it takes place every two years and is run alongside and in conjunction with The Fine Food Exhibition organized by Australian Exhibition Services.

The Masters of Australian Food and Wine will next be run from September 9th through to 13th September 2002 inclusive, in conjunction with the Crown Entertainment Complex, Melbourne and the Fine Food Exhibition organised by Australian exhibition Services.

The aim of the Masters of Australian Food and Wine is to showcase the great produce now available in this country by raising the profile of Australian produce and in particular that grown in Victoria, as an excellent food for all chefs and gourmets. This can only be done with the support of all those whose livelihood depends upon the successful promotion of their product. This support comes from individual producers, marketing groups and food service companies.

Various leading culinary professionals from the all over the globe are invited to come to Australia to prepare, cook and demonstrate their unique style cuisine within the diverse food and beverage outlets of Crown Entertainment Complex. These high profile international and local food and beverage professionals take part in a series of Crown Discovery Dinners, a variety of assorted wine dinners, a gala dinner banquet, culinary demonstrations, independent restaurant promotions and seminars which all take place during the week of September 9th.

For more information on the Fine Food Exhibition visit www.foodaustralia.com.au

As always, The Masters will emphasis the pleasures of enjoying great food and fine wine. The 2002 event will highlight cuisines of the world using Victorian products and combining these cuisines with our great Australian wines in the great and dynamic atmosphere of Australia's premier Food and Beverage operation, Crown Entertainment Complex, Melbourne. A key event of 2002 will be the -

CHEFS PRIDE 2002 YOUNG"OUTBACK" CHEF OF THE YEAR SCHOLARSHIP

In association with

At the gala dinner and set to coincide with the "2002 Year of the Outback" this scholarship award of excellence will recognise a young chef from regional Australia and will be selected from 6 finalists who will be invited to work with the visiting chef and host chef during the week of the Masters. The winner will receive a 4-week scholarship to work alongside the master chef of his or her choice during the following 12 months. This award will pay tribute to the outstanding individual from an organization that may not necessarily offer the opportunities to develop the individual's creativity further but will benefit from the experience the individual would gain from the scholarship. The dinner will be a gala affair providing exceptional dining and wining experiences from the visiting chefs and their hosts to showcase the excellence in the food service and hospitality industry in Australia. Click here to see the successful nominees.