Luke Mangan plans a Fifth Avenue ‘long lunch’
Luke Mangan wants to shut down a major New York Street for a proper Sydney inspired long lunch.
Mangan is exploring ways to take Sydney’s “long lunch” to the Big Apple, with a plan to shut down Fifth Avenue to promote Australian food and wine.
The proposed lunch would be similar to Sydney’s successful “Open for Lunch” event in December. The city shut down George St to accommodate thousands of diners enjoying a long lunch with some of Sydney’s best chefs.
Mangan has an ambition to take the event global and intends to coincide the US leg in its summer months.
The move could have the backing of Tourism Australia, but will need funding from that organisation and others.
“I like to aim big, so I would like to think that we could close off a section of Fifth Avenue for a lunch experience that we did very similar (to what we did) down George Street,” Mangan said.
“There’s a few more button’s I’ve got to push and hopefully all the dots join,” he said.
A Tourism Australia spokesman said, “Our food and wine is one of our greatest assets and, along with our incredible tourism experiences and stunning scenery, is a major factor behind international travellers choosing Australia over other destinations.”
Meanwhile, a second ‘long lunch’ isn’t off the table for Sydney this year.
Jonathan Jackson, 3rd May 2023
