We’re well into November which means that there’s only a few weeks until the Margaret River Gourmet Escape, the biggest food festival in WA (and surely the best in Australia) on November 20-22. This year’s festival features a full program of events hosted by over 50 of the world’s leading food and wine personalities.
If you haven’t yet planned your trip, I wouldn’t wait too much longer. Tickets are still available – but won’t last – for some of the satellite events, including:
- Audi Gourmet Beach BBQ – A relaxed BBQ experience on the stunning Castle Bay Beach
- Feast in the Forest – locally sourced farm-to-fork style dining in a unique location among the trees
- Fraser Gallop Sundown Soiree – The ideal way to enjoy fine wines overlooking the Fraser Gallop estate, whilst enjoying a Q&A with Marco Pierre White
For more information, you can download the full event guide here. Tickets to all events are on sale through Ticketek.
The heart of the Gourmet Escape festival is the Gourmet Village at Leeuwin Estate Winery on the Saturday & Sunday. If you’ve been before and think you’ve seen it all, this year will have more culinary superstars, more restaurants and food options, 150 artisan producers and wineries, more interactive food and wine activities, and more chances to see your favourite chefs in action. The village features 16 pop-up restaurants by some of the Margaret River region and WA’s best dining establishments and producers.
After feedback from last year’s event several improvements have been made to maximise the Gourmet Village experience. As well as more restaurants with additional dishes on offer, there will also be streamlined order and collection points, plus additional staff at the box office and to speed up currency purchase. Bus arrivals from Margaret River will be staggered to ease traffic and congestion.
If you can’t make it to Margaret River but still want to get in on the action, chef James Viles from two-hatted New South Wales restaurant Biota Dining is launching his new book “Biota” at Print Hall on November 19th, before he heads to the Gourmet Escape to host two “Feast in the Forest” and “Gourmet Beach BBQ” events. Proudly presented by Boffins Books, you can enjoy a superb meal and receive a signed copy of Biota for $340 per couple. See here for more information.
If you are stuck in Perth that weekend, I expect it will be a great time to get a seat in your favourite restaurant. Either way, happy eating!
