GUEST chef Tony De Pasquale is returning to the Mansfield Magnolia on Saturday June 28 following the success of last year’s Italian night to tempt us with a Spanish inspired evening.

It aims to be the same style of evening as the previous one involving great food matched with Ros Ritchie’s fine wines and entertainment (including a fun MC named Manuel and local bass singer).

On arrival guests will receive a glass of Sangria before sitting down to a four-course menu lovingly prepared on site.

Diners will feast on garlic prawn tapas, empanadas, traditional paella, and Spanish cake to finish the night.

The son of post-war Italian immigrants, Tony was raised on a farm in the orchards and market gardens of Werribee during the 1960s and learned from an early age the value of a good work ethic.

His mother also taught him to cook at age 10.

“She’d say, 'You need to learn how to cook, or you’ll go hungry',” Tony recalled.

Although his career has been in real estate, he never lost the love of cooking for family and friends using those time honored traditions.

“When Ros Richie invited me back as a guest chef, I wanted to do something different,” said Tony.

“Some years ago, I started cooking paella for the family and I became really good at it, so they called me the ‘Paella King’,” he said.

This would include dressing up in sombreros and ponchos at family gatherings.

He does subscribe to the Jamie Oliver approach to cooking where you add your own interpretation of a dish using different ingredients and flavours.

Tony’s foray as first time guest chef at the Magnolia was through his friend Murray Wallace who moved from Melbourne to Mansfield more than three years ago.

Previously he engaged his family to help but this time his assistant sous chef will be John (Juan) Murray supported by local staff at the Magnolia.

The menu has been designed to offer a dining experience that one would not get in a restaurant.

Throughout the night to add to the dining experience there will fun activities including a piñata and chances to win prizes.

Cost is $110 per head, drinks additional, with numbers capped at 70.

The dinner will be held in The Pavilion, at the Magnolia cellar door, 190 Mount Buller Rd, Mansfield.

For bookings call 0457 535 988 or email cellardoor@rosritchiewines.com