Members and their guests enjoyed a multitude of entertaining events at the club in recent months, with two food-inspired occasions among the main talking points.
Long Room Dinner with Karen Martini
On July 23, well-known chef Karen Martini treated 160 hungry folk to a fabulous Mediterranean-inspired menu in the Long Room.
The menu started with a range of share platters served to the table, designed to create a sense of conviviality. Main course was an incredible braised lamb shank, encased in soft pastry, before the highlight of the evening – a memorable dessert comprising polenta cake topped with dark chocolate and vin santo ice cream. Mouth watering stuff.
Karen addressed the audience and spoke of her apprenticeships at Melbourne restaurants Mietta’s, where she learnt from Jacques Reymond, and The Wine Room. She talked about her food travels, media work, her successful cookbooks and now balancing motherhood with all the above.
Culinary Centre Experience
Not to be outdone, an intimate group of 50 diners enjoyed a unique dining experience in the MCG Culinary Centre on September 16.
Guests enjoyed pre-dinner drinks and canapés served amongst the ovens, cooktops and food preparation areas. The gourmet offering served from a number of food stations included oysters, prawns, kingfish, peking duck and dumplings.
The delicious fare continued with an entree of smoked Tasmanian salmon and eight-score Wagyu beef for main. A delectable cheese plate preceded the decadent, award-winning K7 chocolate cake by Epicure’s top pastry chef, Deniz Karaca. Matching wines were served to compliment each course.
The delicious meal was not the only highlight of the evening, as guests were surpised with a rare opportunity to walk up the MCG players’ race and stop for photos on the hallowed turf. It was a special moment for those present.
The Bradman Luncheon
For the 15th consecutive year, we celebrated the birthday of Sir Donald Bradman at The Bradman Luncheon on August 27.
The Don’s granddaughter, Greta Bradman, commenced proceedings with a beautiful rendition of a song she dedicated to her late grandfather, called “My Hero”. Accompanied by Amir Farid on piano, she returned after entree to perform “I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls”. Greta has boundless talent and the room of more than 450 members and guests were captivated by her abilities.
Host Gerard Whateley paid tribute to former Australian batsman Arthur Morris, who passed away the previous week, before quizzing Cricket Australia CEO James Suitherland on the state of our national game.
Morris’ fellow left-handed opener, Justin Langer, then took to the stage. A famously passionate advocate of the baggy green and all it represents, Justin recalled his dream to play Test cricket and of his childhood admiration for Bradman, which led him to write a letter to The Don.
In a response received just two days later, Bradman had an important message for the young Langer.
“When you are at the crease, you are on your own,” he wrote. “You don’t have your coach, your family and friends or any sports psychologist out there helping you – one has to work it out on his own.”
The Don’s son, John Bradman, closed the function by again expressing his appreciation for the club’s annual tribute to his father. Long may it continue.
Grand final week
As Hawthorn and West Coast Eagles prepared for their grand final battle on the first Saturday in October, a big week of functions was in full swing at the MCG.
The 23rd Sporting Sections Grand Final Week Luncheon was held on Monday September 28 and was again hosted by popular duo Ian Cover and Tony Leonard.
Geelong Cats coach Chris Scott spoke openly about his current role, which included an insight into the mechanics of coaching along with how it feels to have control before a game and the release of that control once the players take to the field.
Interestingly, when asked which of his premiership wins, two as a player and one as a coach, was the bigger highlight, Chris plumped for the coaches box, where he felt he had a greater influence on the game. Chris also touched on his playing days at the Brisbane Lions and spoke highly of the huge influence then coach Leigh Matthews has had on him as a coach.
The room also heard from four of the MCC’s high-achieving sporting section members – hockey brothers Josh and Jonno Bretherton and target shooting duo Renae Birgan and Socrates Pilidasidis.
That evening, the 10th edition of the annual Brownlow Dinner with the Coodabeens again proved to be one of the club’s most popular events. More than 480 attendees packed the Members Dining Room as the Coodabeens brought their usual wit, humour and song.
Young members
Finally, more than 200 young members and their guests graced the Members Dining Room on October 23 for the Arabian Nights Ball.
Belly dancers, tarot card readers, henna tattoists and a feast of food stations and grazing dishes all made for an exotic and colourful end to an action-packed winter-spring period.
