he young gun chefs, front of house crew, sommeliers and restaurateurs that make up [TOYS] are showing the culinary world what the young generation of hospitality professionals can do, by hosting dinners of both the avant-garde and inspirational kind. And despite the name, the idea is not exclusively a northern one.

After winning a clutch of awards in both Sydney and Melbourne, they’re at it again, hosting the next [TOYS] collective dinner here in Melbourne. This time they’re not only showcasing some of the best new-wave culinary talent in our city, but shining a light on the people who inspire them, featuring partnerships between [TOYS] and their mentors.

And just to make the point, the match-ups include John Paul Twomey and Paul Wilson, Nic Poelaert and Shannon Bennett, Josh Murphy and Andrew McConnell, and Aaron Turner and Corrine Blackett. But that’s not all.

The all-star dinner will be held at Cutler & Co. on Monday November 21 and the event will also showcase the best of the next generation of cocktail bartenders, sommeliers and front of house personalities, showcasing cocktails by The Everleigh, Banjo Harris-Plane and Hannah Green (Attica), Liam O'Brien (Cutler & Co.), and Kirsikka Herrald (Ezard), to name a few. Sounds like one star-studded dinner to us.

[TOYS] collective dinner: Old Dogs, New Tricks will play out on Monday November 21 at Cutler & Co. Tickets are $220.

toyscollective.com