Melbourne Elite Event: Yelp Hits The Road!

What better way to celebrate the last moments of summer than with an Elite Event at a vineyard?

25 yelpers met in the quiet back streets of South Melbourne on Saturday morning, ready to board the bus to an extravagant afternoon created by Brandy Creek Wines and Vine Cafe. The journey there was a great opportunity for yelpers to chat, play eye-spy and rummage through their goodie bags. (Inside: sunscreen samples from Eshu, Yelp sunglasses and a bottle of water to pre-hydrate. All fitting items given that it was 38-degree day!) A few lucky yelpers also scored tickets in their bags for The Harvest Picnic, so needless to say, everyone was very excited even before arriving at the destination.

What followed may go down in history as one of the greatest Yelp feasts of all time. Rick, the owner of Brandy Creek Wines, greeted yelpers and then indulged them for the next few hours. A wine tasting kicked things off before antipasto hit the tables. The tortilla, beef croquettes and assorted dips and pickles were delicious and some yelpers made the rookie mistake of filling up on the delicious bread before the main attraction – the paella – was ready.

This wasn't just any paella, but six (SIX!) gigantic pans that were lovingly prepared and cooked in front of the crowds that were forming. The chefs were incredible, working over the hot pans to prepare the delicious feast.  Each pan had epic proportions of ingredients – one 15kg of pork and another 130 quail eggs on top.

After about 45 minutes and a glass or two of wine, the paella was ready. A steady stream of yelpers filled their plates with an assortment of rice, vegetables and meats. Some even went back for a second round. There was serious debate about which was the best, but in the end the Pork Belly with Baked Apples and the Chicken and Chorizo Cazuella (with the unusual feature of the saffron rice being put on top of the other ingredients) were voted as yelper favourites.

Just when they thought their stomachs couldn't hold anymore, dessert was served and miraculously everyone found the space to fit in Dulce de Leche Ice cream, Vanilla and Saffron Panna Cotta and Churros.

After lunch, yelpers stocked up on their favourtie wines and Rick spoiled everyone further by giving out free goodie bags filled with wine. His generosity and wonderful nature were what yelpers spoke about the most as they boarded the bus, bellies heavy with rice and wine. 

Thank you to Brandy Creek Wines for a wonderful day out and to all the yelpers who helped make this an event to remember.

– Read the REVIEWS

– Check out the PHOTOS from Michael Carew and Busra Copurogla

– TALK all about it