World's Longest Lunch presented by La Trobe Financial

Get ready, Australia: they’re going international in 2025. World’s Longest Lunch, presented by La Trobe Financial, is bringing Melbourne’s favourite culinary son back from his adopted home city to headline this year’s festival opener. That’s right, friends, live and direct from Los Angeles, it’s the one and only… Curtis Stone! Few people can claim to have done as much to bring that very Australian mix of relaxed vibes, smart ideas, and a dedication to great produce to the world as Curtis. Born in Melbourne, he found his passion for cooking watching his grandmother in the kitchen. He sharpened his skills working for the legendary Marco Pierre White in London, where he ended up heading the brigade at Quo Vadis in Soho. His appearances on British television led to work on screen in the US and in the ground-breaking Surfing the Menu back home in Australia, and from there the sky has been the limit. Since then, Curtis has become a New York Times best-selling author, won a Michelin star for his cooking at his LA restaurant, Maude, and continues to be one of our greatest global ambassadors for Australia and Australian cooking. Every ticket for the 2025 World’s Longest Lunch, includes a three-course lunch designed by Curtis Stone and prepared by MFWF’s new official catering partner, Curtis Stone Events and includes drinks across the day.