Step inside the Hotel, and step into the story of the Central Highlands.

The Foundry of Provenance is more than a dinner event, it is a journey through origin, craftsmanship and the spirit of adventure that defines our region’s finest producers.

We begin in the garden, bathed in music and twilight. Guided by award winning chef Jigs Liwanag, guests move through the Hotel’s outdoor spaces meeting artisans, tasting their creations and discovering the quiet brilliance behind every bottle, loaf, bloom and harvest.

An open air produce bazaar unfolds and it is a feast for the senses. Here, the cheesemaker’s art meets the brewer’s invention, the distiller’s daring meets the grower’s devotion. This is the beating heart of the Central Highlands: generous, creative, unrestrained. A place to taste, touch and celebrate the ingenuity shaping Victoria’s food culture.

Then, to Bobby’s Bar, for Crafted Sips, a pause for refinement and reflection. Local beverage makers present their creations, each a liquid love letter to the land. Wines that whisper of soil and sun, spirits that hum with character, beers born of boldness. A tasting moment that invites guests to savour the essence of the region and to linger, just a little longer.

And finally to Vesta x Jigs: A Shared Table.

The journey culminates in an abundant shared feast, curated by Jigs Liwanag and his team. A multi course celebration of provenance and passion, where every dish tells a story of the artisan, the harvest, the place. From the sucklogn western plains pigs from the spit, and slow roasted Meredith goat falling from the bone, to platters of berries, flowers, fruits and cheeses, the table overflows with the season’s grace. Grains, pulses and summer vegetables come together in joyful harmony as a reflection of Ballarat at its most confident and generous, a city emerging as one of Victoria’s great dining destinations.

As the evening softens, The After Glow invites guests back to the bar for a nightcap, a local pour, and conversation that stretches toward midnight. The perfect close to an evening of beauty, belonging, and the boundless creativity of the Central Highlands.