There were familiar faces and new in the sold-out audience. There were stories, music and a unique menu.

And all that added up to a never-to-be-repeated evening.

Our Round the World Dinner focused on Europe and places that travellers can visit with Albatross Tours. And, indeed, four of our partners’ senior representatives had flown in to join us on the evening.

The rest of us live closer to the University Club of Western Australia, and the banquet hall, where chef Costa Simatos, musician Steve Richter and Travel editor Stephen Scourfield combined to bring the world to life for every sense.

First course was from England, with chef’s brilliant Lilliput English breakfast. Stephen conjured up the dawn chorus of British birds to start the evening. We then travelled to Norway, with a delicate fish course; Venice, with duck, and reflections of the life of the Venetian Lagoon; and we finished in Provence, France, with a cherry clafoutis.

Steve Richter’s music streamed around the room as Stephen told the stories of the Vikings’ ability to air-dry fish, the “submerged forest” of piles holding up Venice for 1600 years, and a warm evening in Arles.

The scent of the food, served as the performers were on stage, added to the experience.

And our Round the World Dinners are just that. A visceral experience, where readers and writers, chef and musician come together in an evening that resonates.