Angliss Students Shine at the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival’s Signature Events
The World’s Longest Lunch returned for the 2025 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival (MFWF) in grand style, and once again, William Angliss Institute students were at the heart of the action. This year’s spectacular event welcomed celebrated chef Curtis Stone back to his hometown, where he headlined a three-course menu that wowed over 1,600 guests at the sell-out luncheon.
In a nod to its long-standing partnership with the festival, William Angliss Institute played a pivotal role, with over 100 students from various disciplines contributing to the event’s success. Students worked alongside Curtis Stone’s team, his official catering partner Curtis Stone Events, and industry professionals to prepare, serve, and assist in the seamless delivery of this gastronomic masterpiece that spanned more than 600 meters of Melbourne’s iconic Kings Domain.
Hands-On Learning at a World-Class Event
Before the experience, Diploma of Hospitality Management student Ruby Davidson, who aspires to be a Hotel Manager, was really excited to be offered the opportunity and to be around other experts from the industry. She said, “I think it will be beneficial for my time management and working under pressure."
For the students involved, the event was more than just a learning opportunity – it was a chance to work behind the scenes at one of the world’s most renowned food festivals. From front-of-house service delivered by hospitality students and set-up delivered by event management students working closely with En Pointe Events, to back-of-house operations supported by commercial cookery and patisserie students, the Angliss team gained invaluable hands-on experience catering for a crowd of 1,600 people.
This year’s World’s Longest Lunch was even more of an adventure, with added features like the Regent Seven Seas Cruises Lounge and luxury offerings, creating a new dimension of experiential dining for guests. William Angliss Institute students were integral to delivering these elevated experiences, assisting with guest services, food preparation, and event logistics, further enhancing the sophisticated atmosphere of the lunch.
For Certificate III in Hospitality student Isabella Mirsodelis, who was already loving her course because it enabled her to meet new people who have similar goals in life, the MFWF experience was good experience for her career. When asked how she felt about the opportunity she answered, “I am very grateful I can work at such an event."
The connection between Angliss students and the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is a longstanding one, annually seeing students at the signature World’s Longest Lunch and the following day’s World’s Longest Brunch celebration. This year, the brunch involved progressive dining through three venues at the award-winning Royal Botanic Gardens, with event management students assisting with theming and event bump-in to ensure everything was perfect for guests.
While front-of-house and back-of-house elements saw students work closely with the Curtis Stone Events team, and alongside the chef himself, the event management elements saw students directed by Angliss alum-run business, En Pointe Events.
From Student to Industry Leader: Angliss Alumni Success
As Creative Director and Owner of En Pointe Events, Rocco Trimboli started his events career studying a Diploma of Event Management and Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management at Angliss.
“My courses at William Angliss were instrumental in shaping my career. What set it apart was the access it gave me to industry opportunities. My first major event experiences were organised through the Course Co-ordinator, where I worked at the Spring Racing Carnival and the Australian Grand Prix. These prominent events were my first insight into the scale and sophistication of major events and they opened the door to ongoing opportunities.”
Thanks to that initial exposure and the connections he made, he was invited back, year after year, to manage the corporate facilities for prestigious clients like Channel 10, Lavazza, and the Victorian Government. “It was a huge stepping stone and it helped build my confidence, my network, and my skill set in a fast-paced environment,” says Trimboli.
“More than anything, William Angliss helped me create the right connections with industry professionals, mentors, and peers, that continue to shape my journey today.”
As proof that the unique experiences and connections you make at Angliss lead to career opportunities, Trimboli was joined in leading Angliss event management students at the MFWF by his colleague, Senior Event Producer and fellow Angliss alum, Hannah Nicolls.
“These types of events provide our students with a level of experience that cannot be replicated in the classroom”, said Career Coordinator Liz Mourdant. “Whether it's learning about logistics or dealing with live event challenges, they walk away with industry insights that will shape their careers," said Mourdant. “Many of our students have gone on to find full-time work in the events industry, and it’s thanks to opportunities like this.”
This year’s World’s Longest Lunch and World’s Longest Brunch were not just a showcase of outstanding culinary talent, but also a testament to the critical role that education and industry collaboration play in shaping the future of Australia’s food and events sectors.
As the 2025 event concluded with cheers and high spirits, it was clear that the legacy of the World’s Longest Lunch would continue to inspire and shape the future of Melbourne’s vibrant culinary and events scene – with William Angliss Institute students at the forefront.
To learn more about William Angliss Institute’s courses and student opportunities, contact the Future Students team on +613 8595 5334 or via email enquiry@angliss.edu.au to find out about Angliss info sessions and campus tours.
