MARGARET RIVER GOURMET ESCAPE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA THIS NOVEMBER

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

SINCE THE WORLD WILL END THIS DECEMBER IN A CATASTROPHIC DISASTER THAT WILL ALL OF US DIE A FIERY, WATERY OR COSMIC DEATH, I AM OFF TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA THIS NOVEMBER TO ENJOY MARGARET RIVER GOURMET ESCAPADE SO I WILL MEET BUDDHA AND JESUS CHRIST ON A FULL, SATIATED STOMACH.

Western Australia is one of those heavenly places on earth where the rhythm of life paces itself slowly and serenely. Now the pulse will hasten a bit faster with the inaugural Margaret River Gourmet Escapade and I bet they used the word 'escapade' on purpose since this is our last escapade before we all die in a fiery, watery and cosmic death but I think I said this earlier.

Anyway, I have always wanted to meet Heston Blumenthal and Rene Redzepi who are currently the top 2 living chefs on this planet before it bursts into flames and we all die a fiery...you know the rest.

If you are reasonably well off and have eaten enough char kuay teow or nasi lemak, it is time to go to WA and enjoy the finest food and wines money can buy since you cannot take your cash with you to heaven when we all die a fiery... etc.

I have been to Western Australia at least 10 times and if you go and can swear on the  Bible and your ancestors' souls you had a lousy time, I will reimburse your Air Asia airfare.

You don't get vineyards like these in Malaysia you know

The good life at Leeuwin

New culinary adventure to showcase the best of Margaret River to the world from November 22-25, 2012 

Western Australia will be in the international food and wine spotlight in November when the world’s best chefs, culinary and wine critics and celebrities attend a new premium food and wine event in the Margaret River Wine Region in Australia’s South West.

To be held from November 22 to 25, the four-day ‘Margaret River Gourmet Escape’ will be an annual event with the potential to develop into the highest profile food and wine festival in Australia and the Asia-Pacific Region.

“Australia has a few good food and wine festivals, but ‘Margaret River Gourmet Escape’ will be a truly international standard event, providing a fantastic attraction for locals and visitors, as well as priceless promotion for the Margaret River Wine Region and Western Australia as a whole,” Stephanie Buckland, CEO, Tourism Western Australia said.

The first major signing for ‘Margaret River Gourmet Escape’ is Heston Blumenthal, the owner of the famous Fat Duck restaurant in the United Kingdom and known throughout the world for excellence, innovation and creativity. He is currently rated in the top ten for San Pellegrino’s awards for his new restaurant Dinner By Heston Blumenthal.

“I am really excited about coming to Margaret River. Firstly it’s one of the jewels of Australia - the most beautiful setting, and it just happens to produce some of the best wines in Australia, and some of the most amazing produce,” Blumenthal said.

In another major coup, Rene Redzepi from Denmark, whose restaurant Noma was recently ranked the world’s number one for the third time, will also appear at Margaret River Gourmet Escape, as well as Australian favourite Justin North of Becasse in Sydney, local star Matt Stone of Greenhouse in Perth and Dany Angove of Leewin Estate Winery in Margaret River.  

Buckland said talks were underway with many more of the world’s and Australia’s top chefs and a number of culinary and wine ‘celebrities’.

The high profile chefs and celebrities attending ’Margaret River Gourmet Escape’ will be involved in a range of events including;

·         The Gourmet Village at the famous Leeuwin Estate Winery - the event hub will be open to the public and feature dozens of masterclasses,  pop-up restaurants, cooking demonstrations, wine theatre, wine matching programs, meet the winemaker sessions, live music, and showcase premium West Australian wine and produce;

·         A cocktail and wine bar will be located at one of the region’s iconic natural locations. It will be home to a range of events from opening night festivities to live music throughout the event;

·         Beach BBQ – will run at one of the region’s best beaches on Saturday and Sunday with each day hosted by a high profile chef ;

·         Lunch in the Vines – an indulgent long-table lunch at one of Margaret River’s best known wineries featuring leading chefs and sommeliers;

·         A unique and intimate dinner at one of the region’s iconic  tourist attractions;

·         Official Wine Routes – three to four themed wine routes throughout the Margaret River Wine Region;

·         Icon Celebration – A highlight event awarding an icon of the industry each year.

·         Numerous other food and wine events throughout the region

While the event’s major base will be at the Leeuwin Estate Winery, other wineries will also be part of different aspects with a huge amount of local involvement.  

Simone Horgan-Furlong of Leeuwin Estate Winery, which will play host to the Gourmet Village, said, “Margaret River is making wines that are being recognised alongside the great regions of the world, yet we’re still such a youthful industry. To have this kind of benchmark festival created within our region to showcase what we do, and bring the world’s leading identities in food and wine to the district - it’s a very exciting proposal.”

Next to its reputation for exceptional food and wine, the Margaret River region boasts some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, spectacular tall tree forests, cave systems, incredible surfing, whale watching and wildflower seasons, making it an extraordinary holiday destination for visitors from Australia and around the world. It’s one of many extraordinary destinations in Australia’s South West for visitors to the region to explore.

‘Margaret River Gourmet Escape’ is supported by the Western Australian State Government through Eventscorp’s Regional Events Program which is funded by Royalties for Regions.  Eventscorp is the events division of Tourism Western Australia.

Brand Events Australia, a subsidiary of global event management company Brand Events, will run ‘Margaret River Gourmet Escape’.

“Brand Events is involved in 12 ‘Taste’ festivals around the world and is uniquely positioned to deliver the highest profile international line-up of any culinary event in Australia and the region,” Buckland said.

Margaret River is a three hour drive south of Perth, with domestic flights from Perth to Busselton providing air access to the region. International flights operate to Perth Airport, connecting travellers to over 50 destinations around Australia and overseas.  

For more information on holidaying in Western Australia, visit www.westernaustralia.com.  

An announcement regarding ticket sales to Margaret River Gourmet Escape will be made in the coming weeks. To stay up to date with program information, ticket releases and travel options, visit www.gourmetescape.com.au and add your details.

-ENDS-