Now in it’s fifth year, Margaret River Gourmet Escape has proved to be one of the most unique and celebrated food and wine festivals in Australia, a three day extravaganza curated by some of the leading chefs and personalities in the world. For the event’s fifth year, the organisers have managed to pull together a food and wine lineup that’s being headlined by none other than UK culinary goddess Nigella Lawson, who is but one international guest slated to be heading down to WA in November.
From Friday 18th to Sunday 20th November, Margaret River will be dotted with popups and events by over 40 guests, including a selection of chefs from the World’s 50 Best Restaurants: Joan Roca, from Spain’s El Cellar de Can Roca (#2); Maruo Colagreco of France establishment Mirazur (#6); Andoni Luis Aduriz of Mugaritz (#7) in Spain; and Issac McHale, who is coming from UK hotspot The Clove Club (#26). This is in addition to some of the most exciting new and established chefs from the world over, like Dominique Crenn (Atelier Crenn & Petit Crenn, USA) who is the current “World’s Best Female Chef 2016”, as well asRick Stein (well known chef and restaurateur from the UK) and David Thompson (of Nahm in Thailand, and Long Chim in Singapore and Perth).
Australian culinary players set to descend on Margaret River include ACME’s Mitch Orr and Bar Brosé young gun Analiese Gregory, the hugely popular Mike McEnearney (now of new restaurant No 1 Bent St in Sydney), Cutler & Co’s Andrew McConnell, and Ross Lusted of three-hatted Sydney favourite The Bridge Room.
Of course, local WA Chefs won’t at all be left behind, with the likes of Aaron Carr (Vasse Felix), Seth James (Wills Domain), Colin Anderson (Cullen Wines), and Giovanni Di Serio (Asado) set to pop up in the stunning location amongst many others.
While the full program will roll out closer to the event, those making the necessary pilgrimage to Margaret River can expect Audi’s ever-so-popular Gourmet Beach BBQs, festival favourites like the Gourmet Village and Feast in the Forest, Margaret River’s Secret Garden, and a wide range of showcase dinners, masterclasses, and demonstrations from all involved.
“I’m so glad to be returning to Australia and especially to a party of this food-rich country that I haven’t visited before”, said Nigella, who will be dishing up her joyful approach to cooking and eating with Q&A discussions, “audiences with”, and book signings.
Tickets to this year’s Margaret River Gourmet Escape can be purchased from 11 on 22nd July (AWST) from ticketek/
Margaret River Gourmet Escape
18 – 20 November 2016
See below for the full line up and be sure to check the list twice, because it’s massive:
- Nigella Lawson
- Joan Roca (El Celler de Can Roca, Spain)
- Dominique Crenn (Atelier Crenn & Petit Crenn, USA)
- Mauro Colagreco (Mirazur, France)
- Andoni Luis Aduriz (Mugaritz, Spain)
- Isaac McHale (The Clove Club, UK)
- David Thompson (Nahm, Thailand & Long Chim Singapore & Perth)
- Ashley Palmer-Watts (Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, UK)
- Ana Roš (Hiša Franko, Slovenia)
- Riccardo Camanini (Ristorante Lido 84, Italy)
- Rick Stein (Chef & Restaurateur, UK)
- Jack Stein (Stein Restaurants, UK)
- Janice Wong (2am Dessert Bar, Singapore)
- Andrew McConnell (Cutler & Co, Melbourne)
- Mark Best (pei modern, Sydney & Melbourne)
- Nelly Robinson (nel, Sydney)
- Lennox Hastie (Firedoor, Sydney)
- Guy Grossi (Grossi Florentino, Melbourne)
- Scott Pickett (Estelle, Saint Crispin, Melbourne)
- Tony Conigliaro (mixologist- Bar Termini, 69 Colebrook Row, UK)
- Ross Lusted (The Bridge Room, Sydney)
- Frank Camorra (MoVida, Melbourne)
- Peter Gilmore (Quay, Sydney)
- Mike McEnearney (No. 1 Bent Street, Sydney)
- Mitch Orr (Co-Owner ACME and Bar Brosé, Chef ACME, Sydney)
- Analiese Gregory (Bar Brosé, Sydney)
- Hadleigh Troy (Restaurant Amusé, Perth)
- Aaron Carr (Vasse Felix, Margaret River)
- Dany Angove (Leeuwin Estate, Margaret River)
- Scott Bridger (Bib & Tucker, Perth)
- Guillaume Brahimi (Guillaume, Sydney & Bistro Guillaume, Perth)
- Giovanni Di Serio (Asado, Perth)
- Jed Gerrard (Wildflower, Perth)
- Dan Masters (Rockpool Bar & Grill, Rockpool Group, Perth)
- Angel Fernandez (Rosetta Ristorante, Rockpool Group, Melbourne)
- Seth James (Wills Domain, Margaret River)
- Paul Iskov (Fervor, Margaret River)
- George Cooper (Foodbythechef, WA)
- Colin Anderson (Cullen Wines, Margaret River)
- Tony Howell (Margaret River Hospitality Group)
- Oliver Gould (The Shorehouse, Perth)
- Heath Townsend (Wise Winery, Eagle Bay)
- Darren Robertson (Three Blue Ducks, Sydney & The Farm, Byron Bay)
- Josh Whiteland (Koomal Dreaming, Margaret River)
- Tyson Stelzer (award-winning wine writer, QLD)
- Anthony Puharich (Vic’s Premium Quality Meat, Victor Churchill, Sydney)
- Don Hancey (Panorama catering, Perth)
- Joe Czerwinski (Managing Editor, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, USA)
- James Halliday, AM (Wine writer, critic and winemaker, VIC)
- Magdalena Roze (meteorologist, TV presenter and journalist)
- Nick Stock (wine writer)
- Adam Liaw (author and television presenter)
Headline image: Feast in the Forest; Supplied and used with permission.
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