Today marks the Mid-Autumn Festival for 2013.  The festival is held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, during a full moon. You may also know it as the Moon Festival or the Mooncake Festival. Being only half Asian, it’s not something I recall celebrating, all I knew was there was mooncake to be eaten. My favourite was, and still is the red bean NO YOLK. I’m anti-yolk! There I said it. Turns out you are either pro or anti yolk, and if there is yolk, you can be sure I’ll be picking it out. 

I was invited down to Silks at Crown recently to dine on their Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet. Having never really experienced fine dining Chinese before, it was an experience I won’t forget. Held in the private dining room, the view was just spectacular, and we could even see the famous Crown Casino flames going off. 

We were a bit confused as to why there was two pairs of chopsticks. Turns out the pair on the left is for you to eat with, whilst the pair on the right is for bringing food from communal dishes to your plate to avoid double dipping.

Chef Tsang is the executive chef at Silks, and was awarded his first Michelin Star at Ming Court in 2009, then was awarded two Michelin Stars the following year in 2010. He is best known for his innovative approach to traditional Chinese dishes. 

To make a booking, call Silks on (03) 9292 6888 or for more information head to www.crownmelbourne.com.au/silks

Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet Menu
 金銀蒜粉絲蒸帶子

Steamed scallop and vermicelli with garlic 

濃湯竹笙北菇瑤柱

Double boiled chicken consommé with sea cucumber, dried scallop and mushroom

龍皇披金甲

Giant coral trout enrobed in minced shrimp

 豉汁崧子龍蝦球

Sautéed lobster in black bean sauce and pine nuts 

燒汁什菌牛柳粒

Diced beef tenderloin with mixed mushrooms in gravy sauce

XO醬雞肉炒飯

Chicken fried rice in XO sauce

 合桃露湯丸

Sweetened walnut soup with dumplings

精美月餅

Chinese traditional moon cake

中國茶或咖啡

Chinese Tea Or Coffee

 $128 per person plus 10%

Iron Chef Shellie dined as a guest of Silks thanks to Media Moguls and Crown.