The 19th Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (4 -14 March) invites fun-loving foodies to prime their tastebuds and clear their diaries as the countdown begins to Australia's preeminent celebration of food and wine.In five weeks the Festival will bring food and wine to the streets across 11 delicious days, from Chinatown to Footscray to Dandenong, and from the High Country to the Mornington Peninsula in a year that celebrates Heritage and Tradition.

Here are some event highlights in this year's festival:

Chef MasterClass. Get up close and personal with some of the globe's best chefs as they reveal the techniques, tricks and tools that have made them what they are today. Small class sizes, intimate spaces, truckloads of talent - bag a memory that'll be with you for life.Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 March, 9.30am - 5.00pmThe Langham, Melbourne, 1 Southgate Avenue, Southbank$320 full day, $595 weekend melbournefoodandwine.com.au or Ticketmaster 136 100

Theatre of Ideas presented by LifeStyle FOOD Channel A half-day session with leading foodies casually discussing their philosophies, imparting their wisdom and sharing some quirks and laughs along the way. Kitchen goddess Nigella Lawson, TV star Anna Gare, three Michelin-starred Elena Arzak and quirky jellymongers Bompas & Parr provide the ultimate food for thought.

When:Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 March, 9.30am - 12.30pm and 2.00 - 5.00pm

Where:Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South WharfCost:Half day tickets to Bompas & Parr and Elena Arzak session $160, NigellaLawson and Anna Gare session SOLD OUT.Bookings:melbournefoodandwine.com.au or Ticketmaster 136 100

Perfect Match.New to the Festival in 2011, discover the fascinating art of food, wine and beverage matching - which drops go well with favourite foods and adventurous flavour profiles - and leave with a repertoire of matches for your next dinner date.Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 March, 10.00am - 12.30 and 2.00pm - 4.30pm. Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf $160 single session tickets, $320 full day, $595 weekend melbournefoodandwine.com.au or Ticketmaster 136 100.

Wine Retreat. Encounter good drops and good sorts in this intimate exploration of the world of wine with an emphasis on enjoyment and practical hints. Food and wine belong together so why not mix and match with Chef MasterClass sessions? Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 March, 9.30am - 5.00pm. The Langham, Melbourne, 1 Southgate Avenue, Southbank $320 full day, $595 weekend melbournefoodandwine.com.au or Ticketmaster 136 100.

Acqua Panna Global Wine Experience Four international benchmark tastings for the wine obsessed, guided by a selection of Australia's most noted wine personalities and luminary overseas guests. From the Mediterranean to the Mornington Peninsula, navigate the worlds of wine, old and new, then taste it first-hand.Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 March, 10.00am - 12.30pm and 2.00 - 4.30pmMelbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf$160 single session, $320 full day, $595 weekend melbournefoodandwine.com.au or Ticketmaster 136 100