This year Margaret River Gourmet Escape will celebrate 50 years of wine in the region, over four days this November with an extra day added to the event.
The program showcases an appetising line-up of new events and talent, including Australian culinary royalty Curtis Stone.
Taking place across November 16 to 19, the four-day food, produce and wine extravaganza will put the bounties of Margaret River front and centre, with a record number of events taking place throughout the South West.
Paying homage to the region’s 50th anniversary of commercial wine production, world renowned wine critic Jancis Robinson, OBE, MW from the UK will be in attendance at many events across the weekend.
Robinson will be joined by some of Australia’s most respected wine personalities and journalists including James Halliday, Huon Hooke and Nick Stock.
The festival will exhibit a selection of key wine events including the Cape Mentelle International Cabernet Tasting and Long Lunch and the Cullen Wines 32nd International Chardonnay Tasting.
There will also be a number of fringe events including the ‘50 Years in the Making’ Tasting at Vasse Felix and the Leeuwin Art Series Dinner.
Curtis will join over 50 of the world’s leading food and wine personalities, including chefs from the world’s best restaurants including Andre Chiang from Singapore, Alex Atala from Brazil, David Thompson from Thailand, Ashley Palmer-Watts from the UK and Rodolfo Guzman from Chile.
Together they will collaborate with the country’s best as they showcase the region’s exceptional food and wine.
Chef May Chow from Hong Kong will join highly acclaimed chefs including Pierre Koffmann from the UK, Danny Bowien, Kyle Connaughton and Kris Yenbamroong from the USA join Gourmet Escape for the first time to collaborate on events showcasing premium local produce and stunning locations throughout the region.
This year will also see the addition of new and exciting events including Curtis Stone officially opening the festival at the additional Audi Gourmet Beach BBQ session on Thursday evening.
Other events during the festival will include the Great Soiree at Fraser Gallop Estate, a helicopter lunch at the High Life with Paul Iskov, and the launch of the official closing party at White Elephant Café.
Punters can expect some extraordinary dining collaborations at Fermoy Estate which will host a dinner featuring Clayton Wells with Mejakawi from Bali, and Alex Atala from Brazil will join forces with Sydney restaurant Porteno’s Larry Cherubino.
The festival also welcomes new venues and wineries for the first time including the newly opened Amelia Park Winery Restaurant and Arimia Estate – which will take part in the festival to showcase their wines.
The heartbeat of the festival, the Gourmet Village, will have a fresh feel for 2017 with the main stage hosted by comedian Matt Okine, plus music programming throughout the day including a secret closing act on Sunday evening.
New attractions include The Lurpak Cookery School and a ‘Giniversity’ along with returning favourites such as Wusthof Knife Skillery, Around the Barrel, Icon Tastings and Battle of the Breweries.
Also making its debut in 2017, the World’s Best Chef’s Table is an exclusive and very intimate, once in a lifetime restaurant experience nestled in the heart of the Gourmet Village.
Guests can pull up a stool and savour a glass of the region’s best wine alongside some of the world’s most coveted chefs from the top 50 list as they create a dish showcasing incredible WA produce.
Once the masterpiece is complete, the lucky group will enjoy the meal alongside their culinary idols.
Tickets are available through Ticketek from 12pm on Friday, for more information about the event visit gourmetescape.com.au/.