Tweed Artisan Food Weekend - A 4-day Showcase of Headline Chefs, Iconic Eateries and Local Provenance

The Tweed Artisan Food Weekend, on from 27 to 30 November 2020, is a flavour-filled long weekend of bespoke food and drink experiences celebrating the incredible people, place and produce of the Tweed. 

In stunning locations across the Tweed, from sunny coast to lush hinterland, the four-day showcase of artisan events will serve up outstanding culinary flavours, local culture and fresh tastes from the region's chefs and producers. 

Celebrated local chefs, including Pipit's Ben Devlin and Steven Snow of Fins Restaurant, together with well-known chef Christine Manfield, who also now calls the Tweed home, will work hand-in-hand with farmers, distillers, fishers and growers to create pop-up events that will hero the distinctive provenance of the region. 

Bespoke events will be held across the region in restaurants, at a coffee plantation, craft brewery and gin distillery, as well as on-site at a host of working farms and kitchen gardens.

Cooking classes, long table events and on-farm experiences have been carefully curated to celebrate the Tweed's natural food bowl while hands-on happenings range from making farm-fresh egg pasta, learning about indigenous foods and gaining insights into local agritourism and regenerative farming. 

Presented by independent industry body, Destination Tweed, organiser Amy Colli said that the event is a key project on behalf of members and the community that aims to elevate connections and business prospects for local food tourism operators. 

"The Tweed Artisan Food Weekend, hosted twice yearly, showcases unique experiences that provide an insider's view of the people, place and produce of the Tweed, helping visitors and locals have an increased awareness of how the Tweed's food and beverages are produced, and why our chefs value local products and farm fresh produce.” 

"Through food tourism opportunities such as the Tweed Artisan Food Weekend, venues have the chance to diversify their business, making them more resilient to external forces. By getting to know know our farmers, chefs and producers, and preferencing local first whenever possible, our community and visitors are also more likely to be loyal supporters of these businesses through tough times." 

Bradley Nardi, General Manager of the Tweed Tourism Company, said the event is a wonderful invitation to visit the Tweed and experience the best of the region's food and drink experiences. 

"The 2020 Tweed Artisan Food Weekend is a great showcase of what visitors and locals alike love about the Tweed - locally grown and made flavours set to stunning backdrops from beachside to hinterland." 

"The program has something for everyone, from just relaxing and enjoying good food with friends and family or getting hands-on to learn and interact in stunning settings, and will undoubtedly reinforce the Tweed's reputation as one of Australia's best foodie holiday destinations." 

Ben Devlin, owner and chef at Pipit Restaurant, named Australia's Regional Restaurant of the Year in the Good Food Guide Awards 2020, said the event was a great showcase of both local produce and the Tweed landscape. 

“Pipit's day-to-day menus take inspiration from a "sense of place", from the landscape and the seasons, and our Tasting the Gibbum Chefs Cruise (with Currie Country and Tweed Eco Cruise) as part of the Tweed Artisan Food Weekend, is an exciting next level."

"It's our first outdoor special event -  to show, share and connect even more to the local landscape, being outside and getting diners more immersed in the stories behind the produce, the Tweed landscape and our menus as an expression of that.” 

Tickets for the Tweed Artisan Food Weekend are available to book now at destinationtweed.com.au/tweed-artisan-food-weekend-2020

Tweed Artisan Food Weekend Event Highlights 

• Husk Barrel House Dinner is an intimate behind-the-scenes journey into the story of Husk Distillers with tastings, cocktails and a shared dinner feast between the barrels
  
  
• Join a professional fisherman aboard Tweed Eco Cruises with local chef Steven Snow of Fins Restaurant for Crabber and the Chef, sourcing fresh mud crabs in the Tweed River and then enjoy the catch with matching wine
  
  
• Farm Feast with Christine Manfield + Farm & Co enjoying the bounty, quality and community connect of the Tweed at this farm-sourced, plant-based menu paired with Baume Fine Wines
  
  
• Meet the Locals Lunch at award-winning Potager - A Kitchen Garden, featuring regional foods and drinks
  
  
• Tasting the Gibbum Chefs Cruise presented by Tweed Eco Cruises - cruise the scenic Tweed River taking in stunning landscapes, learning Aboriginal stories and harvesting traditions from Currie Country while chefs from Pipit Restaurant create a new menu to match the produce stories
  
  
• Take a seat at Mavis's Kitchen Long Table Luncheon for a sumptuous lunch of shared platters with greens from the Mavis's garden and venison ethically sourced by Fair Game Wild Venison
  
  
• Visit the Tweed's only coffee plantation, award-wining Zeta's Coffee at Origin House in Carool, to learn about coffee production from bean to cup and enjoy a fresh brew
  
  
• Tour Hosanna Farm to gain first-hand insights into regenerative farming and food production
  
  
• Join a river cruise and trawler to plate seafood lunch with Tweed Escapes learning about agritourism and local indigenous culture, paired with gin and rum tastings at Husk Distillery and craft beer at Red Earth Brewery
  
  
• Unwind at the Hotel Tropicana lawn party at Tropical Fruit World with seasonal food grown on-site as well as an oyster bar, cocktails and smooth DJ tunes
  
  
• Enjoy Pasta e Prosecco at Woodland Valley Farm featuring farm-fresh egg pasta making class, sunset drinks and local food platters
  
  
• Miss Lolita's Mexican Feast with tastes by Chef Armando from northern Mexico and the Tweed's own Dona Cholita serving totopos, tortilla tacos and more
  
  
• Dreaming Culture Cruise with Tweed Escapes includes a welcome to country by traditional owners, smoking ceremony, local bush food flavours and live music

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Website: www.thetweedtourismcompany.com

Cookery Experience in Sri Lanka

This culinary experience takes place in the home of a Galle resident, here you will learn the basics of Sri Lankan spice mixes, popular ingredients and have a first-hand lesson in a curry of your choice!

Inclusions:

• Drinking water
• Fresh juice (seasonal)
• Sri Lankan Lunch (includes choice of white or red rice, one meat or seafood curry, and four vegetable curries)
• Recipes on request
• Demonstration of one curry
• Cold towel

Exclusions:

• Alcoholic beverages. Guests are welcome to bring their own.
• Any food and drink not mentioned above
• Transportation to venue

Important:

• Dietary restrictions should be communicated one week prior to the event
• We require 14 days cancellation notice prior to scheduled date – total amount will be charged within 14 days.
• Menus can be personalized, subject to price increase

Pick up point Beach hotel between Bentota to Galle
Rate @ US$ 30 per person (rate valid up to 31 December 2020)

Booking Sri Lanka, powered by Columbus Tours

Is an IATA approved Destination Management Company established in 1991. Based in Colombo, Columbus Tours and has a team of experienced travel consultants led by an experience board of directors. Since we began in 1991, we’ve created unforgettable travel experiences. 

Our team have extensive and firsthand knowledge of the island, and are passionate about what they do. Our team go above and beyond to ensure that quality and service are met at every step of your journey; from first contact, through the duration of your stay, and until you are safely home again, your travel consultant is with you. Our packages can be tailored or built completely from scratch to suit your needs. 

You can also select from a range of our most popular travel itineraries, complete with insightful and authentic Sri Lankan experiences and a designated chauffeur driver and comfortable vehicle throughout your trip through Sri Lanka. Our travel consultants will help you plan a completely bespoke trip, whether it’s an incentive trip, special interest group tours, or if you are an individual traveler, family or couple looking for a vacation in Sri Lanka.

Columbus Tours Pvt. Ltd
Address: No. 06, Tickell Road, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka.
Telephone: (+94)2682634, 2669080, 2687719 , 2682067, 2684225
Email: onlinesales@columbustourssrilanka.com

NEW AND EMERGING FOODIE FARE FOR THE TASTE OF TASMANIA

To whet the appetite of hungry foodies across the state, The Taste of Tasmania is excited to announce the first 26 vendors to be featured at Australia’s biggest and longest running food and wine Festival on Saturday 28 December 2019 - Friday 3 January 2020.

This tantalising taste of 100% Tassie stallholders are all first time or emerging producers and promise to bring an exciting array of flavours from all over the world to the stunning harbour-side Festival.

The Taste of Tasmania Food Curator Megan Quill said “We’re really pleased to be able to expand on last year’s program of new and emerging producers, bringing an even greater variety of food options for our Festival goers to enjoy.”

“This year new and emerging stallholders will be featured in a new dynamic space, The Marketplace, modelled off Tasmania’s roadside market stalls. Here guests to the Festival can support growing businesses and sample some truly unique offerings. There will also be many other new vendors dotted across the Festival site,” said Quill.

Festival Director Brooke Webb said “Community, innovation, provenance and pride of place are all major themes of the Festival program this year and these enterprising food and beverage offerings are really reflective of this. It gives visitors an opportunity to discover something new and help support new businesses in Tasmania’s thriving food industry.”

“Our program of producers is also one of the most multicultural ever seen at The Taste. Using 100% Tassie produce these producers will be introducing visitors to cuisines from all over the world including Nepal, Taiwan, Indonesia, Korea, Belgium, China, Thailand and Australian indigenous,” said Webb.  

Leah Galvin of Eat Well Tasmania said, “"Visitors to the Taste this year will be spoiled for choice with so many cuisines beautifully showcasing Tasmania's incredible diversity of tasty seasonal produce.” 

The new market place precinct shows perfectly just how dynamic Tasmania's food scene is and it's terrific the event is supporting so many small businesses for their first Taste outing. We are really looking forward to this year’s festival," said Galvin.

For the best seat in the house, The Taste of Tasmania offer reserved seating for visitors wanting a guaranteed seat amongst the action. With three, four hour long, sessions on offer each day, reserved seating costs $25 per person on the Waterfront or $50 per table on the Riverside. Tickets to reserve you spot are on sale now!

The first round of vendors announced for The Taste are:

THE MARKETPLACE

A dynamic space for new businesses to introduce themselves to Tasmania, The Marketplace features a wonderful and eclectic mix of vendors, including:

Chill Out Here: Brand new business serving creative cold drinks, snow cones and icy treats utilising fresh Tasmanian fruits and flavours.

Eliza's Restaurant: Launceston-based vegan food stall selling Eliza’s famous signature smoked paprika and coconut crumbed Tassie mushrooms with aioli – finally available in Hobart! Delicious and incidentally cruelty free.

Harissa: Fresh and innovative plant-based ethical eating, serving up a nourishing menu bursting with colour, with a dash of Middle Eastern-inspired flavours.

Iris Lane Espresso: A Salamanca market favourite!  Locally roasted coffee, refreshing cold drinks, espresso martinis and chocolate brownie s’mores.

Lake Barrington Estate: Sparkling wine producers from the northwest of the state, serving their wine alongside some deliciously fizzy cocktails. At The Taste from 31 Dec – 3 Jan.

Soyoyoy: Protein-packed plant-based deliciousness from Tasmania's only tofu producer, showcasing a range of soy products including tempeh, a decadent chocolate mousse, and some creative savoury dishes.

Taiwan Way: Authentic Taiwanese street food, including Chicken and Chips using free range Tasmanian chicken and  traditional recipes, accompanied by refreshing iced teas.

Tasmania Sea Urchin Dumplings: Innovative Launceston-based seafood exporters, turning Tasmania’s long-spined sea urchin problem into delicious ‘pestatarian’ Chinese dumplings.

Tasmanian Fruit Pies: Using all Tasmanian ingredients to create a range of delicious little fruit pies, perfectly handheld and packed with apple, rhubarb, blueberries and apricots.

Tasmanian Spirits Bar: The Tasmanian Whisky and Spirits Association showcasing a range of small batch distillers and their products from across the state with a menu of delicious cocktails, whiskies and liqueurs.

Taylor & Smith Distilling Co.: An independently owned local micro-distillery serving cocktails crafted from their carefully made small batch gin, plus tasty nonalcoholic options, and bottle sales.

NEW TO THE TASTE

Dotted across the Festival site, these new stallholders promise to take taste-buds on a journey of discovery.

Danphe Nepalese: Authentic Nepalese food using quality local ingredients. Serving juicy momos (Nepalese dumplings), and rich goat thali among other specialty dishes.

Eden Pantry: Apple pies and creatively flavoured coconut ice cream using homegrown and locally sourced organic fruit from within the Huon Valley. Naturally dairy free/ vegan friendly.

Ko mi and Hobart Beverage Co.: Collaborative stall with Korean-Japanese street food using traditional fermented condiments, plus an array of delicious liquid refreshments.

Manneken Eats: Legit Belgian fries with a selection of indulgent sauces and freshly made plant-based burgers, served from their brand spanking new food van.

Monsoon Tapas: Delectable fusion dishes that merge Thai influences with excellent local produce, from local Hobart favourites Monsoon Thai Fusion and Thai Veggie Hutt.

Plenty Cider: Tasmania’s newest cider producer, from the heart of the Derwent Valley, premiering their business at The Taste. Try their unique Blueberry or ‘Apple and Rizza’ (riesling) cider varieties.

TummyThai: Authentic Thai menu from a local chef, including a spicy Thai northern sausage, and classic street food snacks, perfect for sharing.

Indonesian Flavours: A new concept from a festival favourite, serving delicious Mie Goreng (fried noodles), and Nasi Goreng (fried rice) with Tassie grown vegetables, as well as noodle making demonstrations on site.

EMERGING AND RETURNING

Some of last year’s emerging vendors are back at The Taste this year after a successful first outing at the Festival.

Absinthe Friends: Huon Valley-based producer of absinthe made from homegrown garden herbs and served in ice glasses, and a lush crème de cassis made from locally-sourced fruit.

Formosa Bites: A small family business with a passion and commitment to homegrown, high quality produce and Taiwanese cuisine. Serving delicious sesame noodle salad and their famous sustainably fished squidlipops!

Iraqi Cuisine: Family run stall selling delicious and authentic Iraqi beef kubba with garlic sauce made from a treasured recipe amongst other delights.

Kaki Lima Indonesian Street Food: Authentic, mouth-watering Indonesian street food using fresh local produce, served with a smile.

palawa kipli: Tasmania’s only Aboriginal street food business, offering innovative, tasty and sustainable dishes using native produce, from wallaby and local indigenous herbs to crickets.

Tassie Can Bar: Developed for the Taste last year, the Tassie Can Bar concept showcases canned beers and ciders from all across the state, with a focus on indie breweries. Enjoy daily tastings and Meet the Brewer sessions.

Yeastie Beastie Doughnuts: Freshly cooked and super tasty sourdough donuts generously topped with local jams and sauces, lemon drizzle or classic cinnamon sugar.

The Taste of Tasmania is Australia’s biggest and longest running food and wine Festival. With stunning waterfront views, awe-inspiring performances, live music and local gourmet offerings The Taste is summer’s not-to-be-missed community celebration.

Entry to The Taste of Tasmania is FREE, with premium events (New Year’s Eve and reserved seating) being ticketed.

WHAT: The Taste of Tasmania
WHERE & WHEN: Saturday 28 December 2019 – Friday 3 January 2020
Princes Wharf, Hobart, TAS, 7000

Website: www.thetasteoftasmania.com.au  
Facebook: facebook.com/thetasteoftasmania
Instagram: instagram.com/thetasteoftasmania

Sips and bites - What's new in Perth this month

One of Fremantle's iconic seafood restaurants, located in the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour – Kailis Fish Market Cafe is set to receive a revamp, scheduled for reveal this September. Plans are underway for a new 80s-inspired look, with a dedicated raw food bar serving oysters, poke bowls and ceviche. With a focus on under-utilised fish and seafood, a fry section will cook-up herring, white bait, sardines and fish wings, with prawns and lobsters going on the barbeque, and seafood chowder served in sourdough rolls.

The cultural hub of Mount Lawley will welcome the opening of a new bar and restaurant - Le Rebelle - along the popular Beaufort Street strip next month. Owners Sarah and Liam Atkinson each bring more than 20 years hospitality experience to their new venture, which takes inspiration from classic French bistros, with a menu focusing on European classics such as duck liver parfait, truffle butter, roasted chicken and frites, complemented by a specially curated wine list.

One of Perth's historic venues, Moana Chambers, has recently reopened as Moana Hall – a multi-function café, bar and events space. The beautifully restored space features heritage ceilings, restored floor boards and floor to ceiling Federation Free Classical arched windows. Serving Margaret River Roasting Co coffee and simple takeaway food in the morning, by evening its Gatsby-inspired cocktails, local beers and lo-fi wines complimented with meat and cheese share plates.

Former Masterchef Australia contestant and Perth local Brendan Pang opened his first dumpling kitchen this month. Bumplings Perth operates from a repurposed Airstream travel trailer, serving Chinese-inspired dumplings at the Sunshine Harvester Works space in Fremantle.

Kukan Izakaya is a traditional-style Izakaya that has recently opened in Perth's cultural hub of Northbridge. Serving authentic Japanese cuisine, the menu features sashimi sets, tuna tataki and charred skewers of beef, chick or seafood; alongside a selection of sake, wine and beer.

Popular foodie brand Hunter and Barrel has recently opened its largest restaurant venue in Perth's Raine Square entertainment precinct. Inspired by age-old traditions, the restaurant brings its ethos of unpretentious communal dining to Perth diners, with a menu featuring charcoal fired meats, feast boards and small plates.

Website: www.westernaustralia.com

Sample your way through the Swan Valley's Food Trails

Just a 25-minute drive east of Perth will see visitors indulging their senses in WA's oldest wine region; where charming family-run wineries are mixed in among big players; and award-winning local produce such as olives, cheeses, preserves, chocolate, nougat and ice creams, are complemented with local art, heritage and culture.

Discover the wonders of the region on one of the many trails that showcase the variety of culinary delights.

Fine Wine Trail
The Fine Wine Trail is the perfect way to sample some of the region's most exquisite and award winning drops.

Swan Valley Cider and Ale Trail
It may be the oldest wine producing region in WA, but the Swan Valley is also home to nine fantastic breweries and cideries producing contemporary and creative beers and ciders.

Fresh Seasonal Produce Trail
The Swan Valley has a wide and diverse range of fresh seasonal produce available any time of year.

Bush Tucker and Beyond Trail
Before European settlement, the Swan Valley provided substantial seasonal food sources for the traditional owners of the land – the Wadjuk people. Taste traditional bush tucker on this unique trail.

Sweet Temptations Trail
Indulge your sweet tooth with a journey of world class, artisan produce handmade in the Valley.

Website: www.westernaustralia.com

Food, Glorious Food

The rise of the ‘foodie’ has put the culinary experience at the front of many must do lists. Whether a bite grabbed from a street vendor, open food markets in an unusual once-abandoned venue, a guided tour to the culinary hotspots of a city or taking to the stove yourself, the search for food experience has never been better.

Bangkok has long been associated with street food and one can see, smell and taste the real city, touring through the ultimate ‘fast food’ vendors alongside the city folk making their way home from work. And why be traditional? For the adventurous there’s entomophagy to nibble on (that’s insects to you and me…)

Local approval is at the heart of a gastro tour of Vilnius, as a professional guide unlocks the special bars, cafes and restaurant that the locals would prefer you not to know, and reveals the character of the city Lithuanian beer, cheese, pastries and traditional snacks.

You can be guided too to New Nordic cuisine while having art explained on the ‘world’s longest artwork exhibition’ that is the Stockholm underground subway.

And Paris has taken their food experience underground – literally. In the French capital, you’re taken to an underground former squat for a new, unique eating experience.

There’s the real asado experience in Buenos Aires – trying cuts of Argentine beef straight off the grill. And learn how to prepare a proper ‘parrilla’ to take the experience away and show (off) to friends.

If eating with a crowd and a party atmosphere is your thing, then head to districts dedicated to eating. Palo Alto Market in the vibrant former industrial district of Poblenou, Barcelona, is full of organic food trucks, Catalan delicacies and local beer. Between the old town and the sea is where to find Kalamaja, Tallin, once the home of fishermen, now the home of a special street food quarter. And there is always dinner, drinks and DJing at the Waterfront area of Cape Town, where the Table Mountain watches over you.

For what some would say the ultimate experience – not your usual that is – there is the chimac in Seoul. Take a ringside dinner table next to a baseball game and tuck into the famous Korean chicken and beers.

Whatever the food experience you’re looking for to offer, then we have plenty of ideas in our #euromictags series

Experience brought to you by

• GOODIES FOR FOODIES TOUR - Bangkok
• GASTRO TOUR LITHUANIAN STYLE – Vilnius
• SUBWAY ART - Stockholm
• UNDERGROUND CULINARY EXPERIENCE IN A FORMER SQUAT - Paris
• ARGENTINE ASADO UP CLOSE & PERSONAL – Buenos Aires
• ENJOY STREET FOOD & ART IN KALAMAJA DISTRICT - Tallinn
• SAY ADIOS TO BARCELONA FOOD TRUCK & PARTY - Barcelona
• LIFE IS GRAND: WATER LIFE – Cape Town
• KRAZY KOREAN CHIKIN PARTY! - Seoul

DOWNLOAD #EUROMICTAGS ITINERARIES


CONTACT euromic
Huw Tuckett, Executive Director
12 Rue du Helder, 75009 Paris, France
Phone: +44 744 382 6607E-mail: h.tuckett@euromic.com

Global Applause for WA's Booming Culinary Scene

The spotlight is on Western Australia's impressive food and drink offering as it continues to attract attention from the world's top gastronomic figures wanting a taste of the State.

Revered identities including David Chang, Marco Pierre-White and Pierre Koffmann will descend on WA in November to participate in the inaugural Western Australia Gourmet Escape, which will incorporate a selection of food and drink-based events in Perth, Swan Valley and Margaret River regions.

The new event format is capitalising on the success of the Margaret River Gourmet Escape, established in 2012, offering domestic and international visitors the choice of unforgettable culinary experiences in three of the State's established and much-loved culinary meccas, over an expanded period of 10 days.

With a thriving truffle industry, transformed capital city, unique native ingredients, fresh seafood exports and highly-awarded wine production, WA is at the top of the food chain for a host of A-list guests who have visited in recent times, including Nigella Lawson, Heston Blumenthal, Rick Stein and Curtis Stone.

“Western Australia and Margaret River have got everything that I love, everything that I travel across the world for, as indeed I do, which is incredible food, wonderful wine and such amazing natural beauties,” said Nigella Lawson.

Some of WA's best kept food secrets are no longer, with more tourists than ever travelling across the globe to sample the State's produce, celebrated local chefs and extraordinary landscapes.

Located in the Southern Forests region of South West WA, a 90-minute drive inland from Margaret River, The Truffle & Wine Co currently produce the largest amount of the world's most edible commodity – black perigord truffle – in Australia.

On the beverage front, WA's beer, wine and spirit-makers are becoming more diverse with their drops, increasingly testing the boundaries of traditional methods.

The innovation has paid off with many local wineries, breweries and distilleries achieving top accolades at major award ceremonies, including Limeburners (Albany) winning Australian Distiller of the Year UK's Whisky Magazine's Icons of the World 2019; Vasse Felix (Margaret River) winning gold at TEXSOM International Wine Awards 2019; and Illegal Tender Rum Co (Geraldton) taking out a wine at the Chinese Wine and Spirit Best Value Awards 2019.

From the native fruits and flavours of the Kimberley to the South West's rolling green pastures and endemic species such as marron, WA's food scene is having a moment – one that has birthed a generation of thoughtful chefs.

With the availability of great produce at their fingertips, WA chefs are championing use of local ingredients, including Matt Sartori of Wildflower (Perth), Dan Gedge of Leeuwin Estate (Margaret River) and Santiago Fernandez of Voyager Estate (Margaret River), all of whom recently featured in MasterChef Australia's 'WA Week'.

Australian celebrity chef and judge George Calombaris spent two weeks filming at various locations in WA for the Logie award-winning program, sampling some of the best of Perth's food scene, learning about Swan Valley wines and indulging in unique food experiences in Margaret River.

"We had such an incredible time filming in Western Australia for MasterChef. It's a place Matt, Gary and I have been blessed to spend time in, but to film across the state from Perth to the Swan Valley and down to Margaret River was spectacular," said George.

With the recent naming of Margaret River and Southern WA as the number one Asian-Pacific destination to visit in the year ahead by global travel authority Lonely Planet, WA's popularity is expected to continue to climb.

Helloworld Travel is offering 'WA Foodie' holiday exclusives starting from $399 per person, giving visitors the opportunity to choose from a Perth foodie adventure, Margaret River food and wine getaway and tickets to Western Australia's Gourmet Escape. The offer ends on August 30.

For more information:
helloworld.com.au/wagourmetescape
westernaustralia.com/au/plan_your_trip/create_your_own_gourmet_escape

This Extraordinary Festival of Food and Wine Dishes Up More in 2019!

Culinary leaders from all over the globe will come together for 10 extraordinary days this November (8-17) for Western Australia Gourmet Escape presented by Westpac- a unique celebration of WA's incredible food, wine and produce. International superstars include David Chang (USA), Marco Pierre White (UK), Danny Bowien (USA), Amanda Cohen (USA), Pierre Koffmann (UK), Carlo Cracco (IT), Garima Arora (TH), Ivan Brehm (SG), Selassie Atadika (GH) and many other chefs and wine experts, who will be welcomed by Australia's brightest stars including Alla Wolf-Tasker AM (VIC), Jock Zonfrillo (SA), and Josh Niland(NSW) to name a few.

For the first time, the festival will be held in three WA regions – the Swan Valley - WA's oldest wine region;  vibrant Perth; and food and wine hot spot Margaret River – the festival's spiritual home, which was just announced as Lonely Planet's number one destination in Asia-Pacific. The newly expanded festival will offer guests more chances than ever to feast, sip, party and discover their way through a diverse program of more than 50 events.

The adventure will begin in the Swan Valley where food, music and family-friendly entertainment is on the menu, followed by exclusive collaborations with visiting chefs in some of Perth's best restaurants, before heading down south to the Margaret River region to celebrate the world-class wine and produce the South-West is famous for.

Pierre White, who attended the festival in 2015 and described the experience as 'life changing,' will be taking part in a one-off collaboration dinner at Sittella Winery in the Swan Valley, as well as making appearances at the family-friendly festival in the Swan Valley, Gourmet Feast in the Valley. 

 “Gourmet Escape without question is the greatest food event on earth,” Pierre White said.

“It puts a spotlight on this region. Look at the soil, feel the sand, that's why everything grows so beautifully. Chefs from every single corner of the world come here. It's life changing because you're being exposed to something that you've never been exposed to before. It's as simple as that.”

Katrina King, Gourmet Escape Event Director said “For the past seven years, Gourmet Escape has positioned the Margaret River wine region on the global culinary map and this year is expanding to include more WA food and wine hot spots.

“In 2019 we're extremely proud to offer the most diverse program yet, showcasing so many global cuisines and experiences in some of Western Australia's most stunning and unique food and wine locations. From fine dining with Michelin stars, to casual new wave wine events, to a wholesome family-friendly festival and returning favourites, like the Westpac Gourmet Beach BBQ, Gourmet Village at Leeuwin Estate, Cullen Chardonnay Wine Tasting and Lunch and Sunset Beats & Bites,” Ms King said.

The Swan Valley will also play host to the inaugural World Gourmet Symposium(Thurs 14 Nov), a trade event designed to educate, dissect and debate the future of the food, beverage, tourism and hospitality industries.

This year the dancefloor will also be heating up, with the addition of an exciting music program that features chart-topping headliners The Rubens, fresh off their European tour, and indie star, singer-songwriter Fergus James, at the new Gourmet Feast in the Valley event in the Swan Valley.

 2019 program highlights include:

SWAN VALLEY & PERTH

8-14 November

• Gourmet Feast in the Valley - a new family-friendly food and music event held on the stunning grounds of Sandalford Winery over the festival's first weekend. Celebrating artisanal produce and authentic culinary experiences, visiting chefs include the first rock star chef Marco Pierre White, hardcore carnivore Jess Pryles and Christian Stevenson aka DJ BBQ. The soundtrack will be pumping with Aussie alt-rock favourites The Rubensheadlining on Saturday 9 November supported by Fergus James, 6-piece soul act Odette Mercy and Her Soul Atomics and Aussie DJ and chef Andrew Levins. The Sunday session is all about celebrating WA musicians with local singer-songwriters Web Rumors, indie-pop songstress Carla Geneve and rock goddess Abbe May taking to the stage. Not forgetting the little ones, dirtgirl and her band Mother Earth (Saturday 9 Nov) and Aria award winning children's performer Justine Clarke (Sunday 10 Nov) will keep the kids entertained. Guests can also take part in hands on activities and masterclasses, enjoy locally focused festival food by some of Perth's hottest food trucks and revel in the drama of cooking over flame at the Feast Fire Pit presented by Australian Good Meat.
• The Swan Valley program also features three exciting collaboration dinners:
  • Marco Pierre White on the Past, Present and Future of Food dinner at Sittella Winery (Fri 8 Nov)
  • Low and Slow with Jess Pryles presented by Australian Good Meat(Fri 8 Nov)
  • The Italian Connection Dinner with Fico (TAS) and Lamont's (Sat 9 Nov)
• The World Gourmet Symposium (Thurs 14 Nov) will bring together industry leaders and change-makers to discuss topics that impact and shape the culinary world.
• Mid-week will see some of Perth's hottest restaurants welcome visiting chefs into their kitchens for unforgettable dinners with the world's best. (Perth program to be released in August.)

MARGARET RIVER

15-17 November

• Dining by Twilight at Margaret River's Secret Garden presented by Seedlip – this much-loved event will this year feature Amanda Cohen from Dirt Candy in New York, alongside WA chef George Cooper for a vegetable degustation using produce grown on Cooper's own farm (Sat 16 Nov.)
• Into the New Africa #1 – Foraging, respect for the land and a deep love of country: South Africa's Kobus van der Merwe, from The World Restaurant Awards' Restaurant of the Year 2019* Wolfgat, is heading to Western Australia to prepare an intimate, personal dinner with Paul Iskov of Fervor (Fri 15 Nov.)
• Into the New Africa #2 - For one night only, two nomadic chefs – Selassie Atadika from Ghana, and Paul Iskov representing Australia's original flavours, will come together in a cross-continent celebration of wild foods (Sat 16 Nov.)
• Eating at The Crossroads: Nouri Comes to Vasse Felix - Ivan Brehmpioneers Crossroads Cooking, a culinary practice which reveals the complex web of shared food histories that influence what we eat today, exploring the global story of human connection. He will team up with Vasse Felix's Brendan Pratt to weave the practice through the menu, paired with wines from the vineyard, a pioneer in its own right (Fri 15 Nov.)
• Ristorante Cracco at Cape Lodge presented by Singapore Airlines - traditionally reserved for visiting chefs over the festival weekend, the elegant Cape Lodge lakeside restaurant will open its doors for Gourmet Escape attendees to experience a unique collaboration between resident local chef Tony Howell and Milan master Carlo Cracco (Sat 16 Nov.)
• Mission Chinese X Chow's Table presented by Gage Roads Brewing Co. – from the eclectic streets of NYC to the picturesque valleys of Margaret River, this unique partnering will see Mission Chinese mastermind Danny Bowien collaborate with local legend Malcom Chow for a Chinese banquet like no other (Sat 16 Nov.)
• When Bo.Lan Came To Wise - Bo and Dylan from Lan in Bangkok will bring their traditional Thai cuisine with a fine-dining twist and serve it with unforgettable views and wines at Wise Vineyard Restaurant (Fri 15 Nov.)
• Lake House Meets Wills Domain- East meets south-west as two champions of regional food, Alla Wolf-Tasker AM of Lake House Daylesford and Seth James from Wills Domain, come together to serve an unforgettable dinner overlooking the vines (Fri 15 Nov.)
• From Fin to Tail: Saint Peter X Amelia Park - Josh Niland, one of the world's most talented fish whisperers, comes to Margaret River to combine forces with Amelia Park's Blair Allen who champions incredible local produce and seasonal cooking, paired with Amelia Park's award-winning wines (Sat 16 Nov.)
• Mark Best on the Ocean Dream – join Australian chef Mark Best for a one-of-a-kind luxury cruise on idyllic Geographe Bay on board the luxury catamaran 'Ocean Dream.' Best's cooking combined with spectacular views and world-class local wines will make for an unforgettable experience (Fri 15 – Sun 17 Nov.)
• Estate-to-Plate: A Locavore Experience at Voyager Estate - Passionate, committed and 100 per cent behind local produce and producers will be the ethos behind this collaborative dinner between Ray Adriansyah (Locavore, Bali) and Spanish-born chef Santiago Fernandez (Voyager Estate.) And because dinner will be held at Voyager's grounds, this celebration will also include Voyager's vaunted wines (Sat 16 Nov.)
• Adding new flavour to the festival's forest events, the new Safari Club Cookout will offer live entertainment and showcase a range of cuisines from our visiting chefs who are famous for cooking over flame including:
  • A Thai Takeover with David Thompson and Garima Arora. Garima from Gaa in Bangkok, is the first Indian Female Chef to receive a Michelin Star and was recently awarded Asia's Best Female Chef 2019 at Asia's 50 Best Restaurants Awards (Fri 15 Nov.)
  • An Indian Inspired feast by Prateek Sadhu from Masque in Mumbai (Sat 16 Nov.)
  • An Australian BBQ with WA home-grown talent Matt Stone and South Australia's Jock Zonfrillo (Sun 17 Nov.)
• The ever-popular Westpac Gourmet Beach BBQ will be hosted by a blend of international, Australian and WA chefs, once again offering up the perfect waterside dining experience coupled with incredible produce, wine and music (Fri 15 Nov- Sun 17 Nov.)
  • On Friday, David Chang will bring a taste of the legendary Momofuku restaurant empire to the South-West
  • Saturday, meanwhile, is all about home-team love as renowned West Australian fire starters Kenny McHardy (Manuka Woodfire Kitchen),Scott Bridger (Bib & Tucker) and Brenton Pyke (Market Eating House) swap their wood-ovens for an open-air kitchen
  • To finish, Monty Koludrovic from Bondi institution Icebergs Dining Room & Bar will cater a Sunday Sesh brimming with Sydney cool
• Wine royalty Christina Pickard, James Halliday, Nick Stock and Mike Bennie will be on hand to educate, inform and guide guests on their wine tasting journey at a number of our returning favourites, including Sunset Beats & Bites, The Official Closing Party, Long Lunches at Fraser Gallop Estate, premium Chardonnay Tasting at Cullen Wines, the Leeuwin Estate Art Series Dinner, and the eighth instalment of the Gourmet Village at Leeuwin Estate

Tickets are on sale now. For full event details visit www.gourmetescape.com.au