Many of us have sat back and relaxed while a tour operator has done all the hard yards in introducing us to a new place, but ever wondered what it's like like being in the driver's seat?
Danielle Field started MP Experience to extend her love and knowledge of Victoria's Mornington Peninsula- particularly the food and wine. She's one-half of a brother and sister team who are well known in the region for their foodie exploits.
Max owns the award-winning restaurant Max's at Red Hill Estate and Danielle runs private and small group tours, introducing people to winemakers, growers and artisan producers all over the Peninsula.
We were lucky enough to jump in the MP Experience-mobile and had an awesome day eating, drinking, eating a bit more and drinking a bit more all day... and I mean all day! We started with a coffee at Green Olive, cider at Mock Red Hill, cellar tour and wine tasting at Ocean Eight, degustation lunch at Max's Restaurant, cheese sampling at Main Ridge Dairy, and to top it off we smashed some chocolates at Mornington Peninsula Chocolates. It was without doubt a foodie-lover's ultimate way to spend 7 hours.
Danielle's insider knowledge was brilliant on this tour, and she introduced us to all of the artisans behind the amazing produce we sampled, so we got a real feel for the care and attention that goes into their produce and final products. She's well-known and well-loved in this beautiful part of Victoria, and here's a bit of insight into the woman behind the Experience!
60 Seconds With Danielle Field, Director, MP Experience
Why did you start MP Experience?
My brother Max and i grew up on a farm on the Peninsula, and enjoy sourcing local seasonal produce for Max's restaurant. We took all of the staff from the restaurant for a family to meet the goats and see where the cheese was made, where Max's olives are grown, pick their own cherries etc. and they loved it!! We thought then that we would like to offer this experience to everyone and MP Experience Tours was born!
How would you spend your ideal day in the Mornington Peninsula?
An early morning bush walk along Bushrangers Bay with my family, a picnic on the secluded beach and a swim if the weathers good, if not we would head to the Peninsula Hot Springs for an afternoon soak. My husband and I we are always keen to try out a new restaurant for lunch and wine, cider and beer tasting... all for research purposes of course!
What is a memorable thing that happened on one of your tours?
I think many of our tours are memorable as we get to meet such a range of people and nationalities. We have had sightings of echidnas and kangaroos which always catch you by surprise while driving. We also had a proposal up at Seawinds Gardens at Arthurs Seat and fortunately she said YES!
What would surprise people most about your job?
How much i love my job! "If you love your work, you never work again."
If you could invite someone to dinner, who would they be and why?
Carlo Petrini the founder of the slow food movement in Bra, Italy. He is an amazing man and stands for the same thing we do at MP Experience: live life for the moment and enjoy what we have been given.
What is in store for MP Experience in 2014?
We are looking forward to offering our 2 day tours with accommodation where guests can stay at Max's retreat and have our chef and waiter create an in house dinner party for up to 8 people.
Website: MP Experience
Twitter: @tour_mp
Danielle Field started MP Experience to extend her love and knowledge of Victoria's Mornington Peninsula- particularly the food and wine. She's one-half of a brother and sister team who are well known in the region for their foodie exploits.
Max owns the award-winning restaurant Max's at Red Hill Estate and Danielle runs private and small group tours, introducing people to winemakers, growers and artisan producers all over the Peninsula.
We were lucky enough to jump in the MP Experience-mobile and had an awesome day eating, drinking, eating a bit more and drinking a bit more all day... and I mean all day! We started with a coffee at Green Olive, cider at Mock Red Hill, cellar tour and wine tasting at Ocean Eight, degustation lunch at Max's Restaurant, cheese sampling at Main Ridge Dairy, and to top it off we smashed some chocolates at Mornington Peninsula Chocolates. It was without doubt a foodie-lover's ultimate way to spend 7 hours.
Danielle's insider knowledge was brilliant on this tour, and she introduced us to all of the artisans behind the amazing produce we sampled, so we got a real feel for the care and attention that goes into their produce and final products. She's well-known and well-loved in this beautiful part of Victoria, and here's a bit of insight into the woman behind the Experience!
60 Seconds With Danielle Field, Director, MP Experience
Why did you start MP Experience?
My brother Max and i grew up on a farm on the Peninsula, and enjoy sourcing local seasonal produce for Max's restaurant. We took all of the staff from the restaurant for a family to meet the goats and see where the cheese was made, where Max's olives are grown, pick their own cherries etc. and they loved it!! We thought then that we would like to offer this experience to everyone and MP Experience Tours was born!
How would you spend your ideal day in the Mornington Peninsula?
An early morning bush walk along Bushrangers Bay with my family, a picnic on the secluded beach and a swim if the weathers good, if not we would head to the Peninsula Hot Springs for an afternoon soak. My husband and I we are always keen to try out a new restaurant for lunch and wine, cider and beer tasting... all for research purposes of course!
What is a memorable thing that happened on one of your tours?
I think many of our tours are memorable as we get to meet such a range of people and nationalities. We have had sightings of echidnas and kangaroos which always catch you by surprise while driving. We also had a proposal up at Seawinds Gardens at Arthurs Seat and fortunately she said YES!
What would surprise people most about your job?
How much i love my job! "If you love your work, you never work again."
If you could invite someone to dinner, who would they be and why?
Carlo Petrini the founder of the slow food movement in Bra, Italy. He is an amazing man and stands for the same thing we do at MP Experience: live life for the moment and enjoy what we have been given.
What is in store for MP Experience in 2014?
We are looking forward to offering our 2 day tours with accommodation where guests can stay at Max's retreat and have our chef and waiter create an in house dinner party for up to 8 people.
Website: MP Experience
Twitter: @tour_mp
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