With over 50 events spread across three locations in this year’s lineup, it’s hard to know which foodie sessions to attend, but here are four you definitely won’t want to miss.
Western Australia Gourmet Escape presented by Westpac is back for another foodie frenzy this November with a deliciously dense lineup of events featuring culinary leaders from all over the globe.
The 10-day extravaganza celebrates Western Australia’s incredible food, wine and produce, and this year the festival will be held in three regions of Western Australia, for the first time: the Swan Valley, Perth, and the Margaret River region.
With over 50 events in the lineup, its hard to know where to start your epicurean journey, so here are a few ultra-gourmet Margaret River happenings not to miss at this year’s festival.
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Dinner with Pierre Koffmann
One of the great chefs of the world, Pierre Koffmann, is coming to dinner, and it’s a big deal. With three Michelin stars to his name, Koffmann is responsible for creating some of the culinary world’s most famous dishes. No stranger to Gourmet Escape, Koffmann will return to Margaret River on 15th November to join forces with Leeuwin Estate’s Head Chef, Dan Gedge, for a special collaborative dinner in the Art Gallery accompanied by Leeuwin Estate’s famous Art Series wines.
Established in 1973 and family-owned, award-winning Leeuwin Estate is one of the region’s showpiece founding wine estates and celebrates the marriage of fine wine, music, art and menus utilising West Australian produce. Wine Enthusiast editor Christina Pickard will speak on the wines served including the estate’s legendary Art Series range.
Details:
Leeuwin Estate, Stevens Road, Margaret River WA 6285
Friday 15th November 6:30 pm
$335
Buy tickets here
Mission Chinese X Chow’s Table Presented by Gage Roads Brewing Co
One of New York’s hottest new-school Chinese chefs is heading to WA, bringing his Chinese-American, high-low mash-ups with him. The Mission Chinese Food front man and The Mind of a Chef star Danny Bowien is known for dishes like kung pao pastrami and Chongqing chicken wings, and when he arrives in WA in November he will be hosted by local resident, Malcom Chow of Chow’s Table at House of Cards winery in Yallingup.
Together, Chow and Bowien will prepare a new-school Chinese smorgasbord full of flavour, while beloved West Australian brewer Gage Roads Brewing Co. will keep the good times going with plenty of ale. It’s sure to be the ultimate gastronomic marriage of US east coast and (south) AU west coast.
Details:
Chow’s Table, 12/5 Quininup Rd, Yallingup WA 6282
Friday 15th November 6:30 pm
$285
Buy tickets here
From Sea to Land: Saint Peter X Amelia Park
Josh Niland, the man behind one of Sydney’s most lauded restaurants, Saint Peter, will make his way to WA to partner up with Amelia Park restaurant chef and owner, Blair Allen on this special culinary collaboration on 16th November. With paired wines from award-winning Amelia Park Wines and commentary from co-owner and winemaker Jeremy Gordon, expect one of the world’s most talented fish whisperers to add his signature flair to local WA seafood at Amelia Park’s contemporary winery restaurant.
The four-course dinner will also showcase Amelia Park meats and the winery’s award-winning reserve wines. Amelia Park has been named Margaret River’s best cellar door by Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine for the last three years.
Details:
Saturday 16th November 7:00 pm $335
Amelia Park Winery Restaurant, 3857 Caves Rd, Wilyabrup WA 6280
Buy tickets here
Cape Mentelle International Cabernet Tasting and Long Lunch
If you want to go all out at this year’s Gourmet Escape, this event is for you. One of the biggest wine tastings in Australia, Cape Mentelle’s annual cab sav party celebrates the history, future and diversity of the cabernet grape, showcasing 20 exquisite 2016 vintage cabernets from the world’s finest cabernet producing regions – Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Tuscany and Australia. Australia’s most revered wine critic James Halliday will be in attendance, along with veteran American wine expert and author, Matt Kramer.
After the wine tasting you’ll then get to dig into a long lunch showcasing the South West’s exceptional fresh produce matched to the fabulous cabernets from the tasting, prepared by Kate Lamont, one of Western Australia’s most successful chefs. Guests will also leave with a memento from the occasion to enjoy at a later date – a beautifully presented bottle of the Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2016.
Details
Friday 15th November 10:00 am $700
Cape Mentelle, 331 Wallcliffe Rd, Margaret River WA 6285
Buy tickets here
Western Australia Gourmet Escape will take place from 8th – 17th November 2019. Details and the full program can be found at gourmetescape.com.au.