Oysters & Champagne at Ashcombe Maze: Richard Cornish on Westernport's Lost Reefs

On a cool evening in Shoreham, Victoria, Ashcombe Maze gardens become the stage for a tasting and storytelling event that ties present landscape to Westernport’s maritime past. The True Story of Oysters & Champagne, hosted by award‑winning food writer Richard Cornish, pairs six Australian oysters and two glasses of local sparkling wine with a spoken‑word exploration of the lost oyster reefs that once defined Westernport Bay.

Ashcombe Maze opens its clipped hedges and garden rooms to intimate gatherings; the site offers sea-facing lawns, hedged corridors, heritage roses and framed views toward the mudflats below. Key features of the scene are the formal maze, the adjacent coastal outlook, and the visible intertidal flats where oyster reef remnants and seagrass beds once supported abundant marine life. The unique natural element at the centre of the evening is the oyster reef itself: a biological reef structure built by shellfish that stabilised the shoreline and filtered tidal waters for generations.

During the 90-minute event, Cornish moves between tasting and narrative, guiding guests through provenance notes for each oyster and telling the human stories that accompany Westernport’s decline and conservation efforts. The pairing of raw oysters and local sparkling wine is intentional: acid and effervescence cleanse the palate between varieties while conversation turns to ecological history, traditional harvest practices, and modern restoration attempts. It’s an edible lecture that respects both flavour and context.

Practicalities are simple but important. The program is adult-oriented (minimum age 18) and takes place outdoors within the Ashcombe Maze gardens in Shoreham, Victoria; expect mild walking over lawns and compacted paths. Shellfish allergy restrictions apply; bring a light jacket for coastal breezes and closed shoes for uneven turf. Reservations are required through the listed booking link.

Why it stands out: this is not a generic tasting. It’s a place-based evening that uses food as a narrative device to illuminate a local environmental story. Ashcombe Maze becomes more than a garden; it’s a platform where a writer, local producers and guests convene to taste, listen and reassess the ecological legacy of Westernport Bay. For visitors to the Mornington Peninsula who value meaningful culinary experiences grounded in landscape—and who are curious about the real history behind what’s on their plate—this event is an uncommonly sharp, sensory introduction to place.

Expect small-group intimacy rather than spectacle; seating, when provided, is informal and often scattered across lawns and terraces. The tone is conversational, with Q&A moments built into the presentation, and guests often leave with recommended reading or local producer contacts. If you are planning a Mornington Peninsula visit, schedule this evening after a day on the coast or a winery circuit so the tasting becomes a memorable and social capstone to a regional itinerary.