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.
Tickets go on sale at 9am AEST on Thursday 18 July. For full event details visit www.gourmetescape.com.au
