In the world of gastronomy, chefs are often asked where they get their ideas? What inspired them to create something so unique and delicious that we could never have possibly dreamed of it ourselves? It could be as simple as an unusual marinade or the untraditional pairing of two ingredients, or perhaps a fantastical creation such as egg and bacon ice cream. The question is asked because we are searching for something that helps us understand the connection and reason why. Art has the same reaction. What was the artist thinking? What was he/she trying to say? What is the meaning of the piece and how does it make me feel? The question may differ but the reasons for asking are the same. We the audience are looking for a story, some kind of inner connection to our emotional reaction.
It is the journey of creativity and connection that joins David Bromley and Ashley Palmer-Watts together and it is their shared outlook and approach that fascinates.
Inspiration comes from life, from all around us.
An ingredient can trigger a nostalgic taste memory or a colour in someone’s eyes to a location. An aroma or a texture can evoke unexpected memories. The creative process is fascinating.
The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival dinner at Dinner explores the approach of these two exceptional artists. Two completely different people from two separate continents that work in two unconnected worlds and yet have the same values and purpose at their core. Sometimes when two creative minds from different fields connect, something magical happens.
When chef Ashley Palmer-Watts met artist David Bromley it was through an introduction by Heston Blumenthal. There was no agenda or purpose other than simply a social meeting. Then the conversation started, and on the evenings of the 19th and 21st of March at the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival dinners we will once again join these two incredible talents in conversation to explain why they cook and why they paint. We will uncover the stories of their meeting and what triggered the art by Bromley that proudly stands in Dinner and what Ashley took from the experience.
In order to create we must go to a place of vulnerability where a need to express oneself is greater than our deep-rooted fear of judgment.
The dinner conversation will explore that freedom of exploration and its importance to all of us. An inspirational conversation peppered with humour, respect and love.
And in an expression of that freedom artist David Bromley will paint a one-off canvas with the help of a few creative volunteers on the night. The art will be raffled to the guests of the dinner and someone in the room will leave with an original Bromley. Proceeds of the raffle will be donated to Children's Cancer Foundation.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is a unique restaurant that takes inspiration from history and brings customs, traditions and often flavours of the past into the modern dining experience. The story of Dinner captured the imagination of David Bromley, who as a result has created incredible bronze sculptures on display at Dinner. The award-wining menu at Dinner is also inspired by that story with its dishes that have been created by Ashley Palmer-Watts and his life long friend and colleague Heston Blumenthal.
Join us for an inspirational conversation, a delicious evening of fine wine and exceptional cuisine, a once in a lifetime private viewing of an artist in residence and a very personal insight into the minds of two exceptional men.
Enjoy a four-course meal with matched wines for $275 per person on Monday 19 or Wednesday 21 March. Tickets can be purchased via our reservations page. For any enquiries please reach out to our Events Team at [email protected]
