EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
New events announced for Western Australia Gourmet Escape
The newly expanded Western Australia Gourmet Escape is a 10 day culinary extravaganza running from November 8 to 17, with signature events across the Swan Valley (November 8 to 10), Perth (November 11 to 14), as well as its spiritual home of Margaret River (November 15 to 17). Guests are invited to design their own foodie adventure, with a range of mouth-watering new culinary experiences just announced, including additional events with festival headliners Marco Pierre White and Colin Fassnidge. The new events include:
- Three highly anticipated dinner collaborations, featuring some of Perth’s best restaurants and the world’s most renowned culinary talent – An Evening with Pierre Koffmann at Bistro Guillaume (November 13), Santini Presents The Sicilian Job (November 14) and Redefining Modern Australian: Cloudstreet x Wildflower presented by Singapore Airlines (November 11).
- Tex-Mex Takeover at Mandoon Estate presented by Australian Good Meat (November 8) – a meat-centric dinner under the stars featuring live cooking by “hardcore carnivore” Jess Pryles, and a Mexico inspired menu.
- Back by popular demand, Fraser Gallop Estate Friday Long Lunch (November 15) with matched wines and food from Vue de Monde Executive Chef, Hugh Allen.
- 5 Hats Lunch: Momofuku Seiōbo x Yarri presented by Australian Good Meat (November 16) – a Caribbean-Australian six-course lunch prepared by Momofuku Executive Chef, Paul Carmichael and Yarri’s Aaron Carr.
- Wine & Sign with Marco Pierre White (November 9 and 10) at Gourmet Feast in the Valley. After his first event sold out in minutes, Marco is back by popular demand for meet-and-greets in the Valley.
- Wine & Swine with Colin Fassnidge (November 17) – a new headline chef hits Margaret River’s Gourmet Village for an exclusive lunch.
Tickets for all events are limited and are on sale now.
Perth to host The World Gourmet Symposium
Perth will host some of the world’s most exciting chefs, creatives, sommeliers, food activists and business leaders at The World Gourmet Symposium this November as part of the Western Australia Gourmet Escape.
Taking place on Thursday November 14 at Mandoon Estate in the Swan Valley, The World Gourmet Symposium will be an intimate industry event exploring the creativity, challenges and successes of some of the biggest names in hospitality via a series of thought-provoking talks, panel discussions and networking opportunities.
Momofuku founder David Chang will headline the Symposium, alongside highly-regarded chefs from around the globe, including Jock Zonfrillo (SA), Kobus van der Merwe (South Africa), Palisa Anderson (NSW), Josh Niland (NSW), Ivan Brehm (Singapore), and Selassie Atadika (Ghana).
Speakers from some of the world’s leading hospitality businesses will also be joining the already impressive line-up, including Syed Asim Hussain (CEO of Black Sheep Group); Fenella Kernebone (Head of Curation at TEDxSydney); Mike Weeks (CEO of Frontline Mind USA); and Rob Laing (CEO of Farm.One).
Day passes and VIP packages are now available, starting from $390.
Perth Festival releases taster of 2020 line-up
Returning to the city this summer from February 7 to March 1, 2020, Perth Festival has provided a taste of what to expect under new Festival Director Iain Grandage, following the exciting release of five headlining shows (outlined below).
- Bungul (February 8 and 9, Perth Concert Hall) celebrates the music of Gurrumul and Yolngu culture in epic style.
- Beloved musical Bran Nue Dae (February 7 to 15, Regal Theatre) will make a triumphant anniversary return.
- Acclaimed circus ensemble Circa present their astounding new show Leviathan (February 26 to March 1, Regal Theatre).
- Beethoven’s only opera Fidelio (February 29 to March 1, Perth Concert Hall) set to thrill in a landmark Perth Concert Hall event.
Tim Winton’s Australian classic Cloudstreet (February 21 to March 15, His Majesty’s Theatre) reimagined for the 21st century stage.
Port city to celebrate Fremantle Biennale
The Fremantle Biennale is a unique and contemporary visual arts event, set to transform Fremantle with incredible site-responsive installations across the port city. A celebration of Fremantle’s rich cultural heritage and history, the Biennale presents a distinct visual arts program – Undercurrent 19 – that builds on Fremantle’s reputation as a creative city. Running for three weeks from November 1 to 24, the event will feature more than 40 local, national and international artists presenting works that respond to the city’s history, landscape and communities. The large-scale exhibition will take over venues, streetscapes and local landmarks with evocative performances, symposiums, light installations, photography, audio-visual, and dance works. Opening the event from November 1 to 3 at Esplanade Reserve is the internationally acclaimed light installation WATERLICHT by Studio Roosegaarde. Calling attention to rising water levels and climate change, this will be the first time the immersive exhibition has been shown in the Southern Hemisphere.
Inaugural Quantum Words Festival comes to Perth
Quantum Words Perth – a festival dedicated to science, innovation and wonder, will be held for the first time from November 8 to 10 at the State Theatre Centre. The event will feature outstanding thinkers, scientists and creators from across Australia and overseas, covering topics ranging from climate change to orangutan protection, water, alternative facts and Indigenous knowledge. Festival guests include New York-based playwright Baba Brinkman – best known for his ‘Rap Guide’ science-based hip hop albums and theatre shows, and Leif Cox, founder and President of the Orangutan Project.
Get Entwined in the Valley
The Swan Valley wine region, located a 25-minute drive from Perth CBD, will host Entwined in the Valley – a festival showcasing the region’s local wine, beer, cider, spirits, art and produce. With more than 45 home-grown and boutique events held over four days from October 10 to 13, guests can indulge in long lunches and Italian feasts, enjoy masterclasses in cheese, wine, beekeeping and nougat, stock up on local produce at family-friendly markets and browse the work of local artists. Event highlights include the Secret Supper, Fiori Coffee Carnivale at Oakover winery and Picnic in the Sculpture Park at Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park.
WHAT’S HOT
Perth’s Cottesloe beach wins the heart of Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman
Pop superstar Taylor Swift declared her love of Perth in a recently released 2012 diary entry that sings praise to Cottesloe Beach, calling it “one of the most beautiful places I’ve been.” Taylor described the iconic Indiana Tea House as an “old fancy hotel” and was drawn to its “old world arches and mouldings, antique tables and big French doors opening out to views of azure blue ocean.” The diary entry was included as part of the deluxe release of her seventh album, Lover.
More recently, Hollywood superstar Hugh Jackman visited Australia’s sunniest capital city as part of his national tour of The Man. The Music. The Show. Hugh also visited Cottesloe Beach and enjoyed an iconic WA sunset over the Indian Ocean, which he posted to his 27.5 million Instagram followers.
AVIATION
ANA Flights touch down in Perth
The inaugural All Nippon Airways (ANA) daily direct flight between Perth and Tokyo commenced operations earlier this month. Operating on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the flights depart Tokyo’s Narita International Airport at 11am and arrive at Perth Airport at 8.15pm. The aircraft then departs Perth at 9.45pm, to arrive in Tokyo at 8.25am the next morning. Return ticket prices between Tokyo and Perth start from $861 for economy, $1,561 for premium economy and $3,521 for business class, inclusive of taxes.
FOOD AND WINE
The Ritz-Carlton welcomes Hearth
Perth’s newest luxury hotel, The Ritz-Carlton – due to open at Elizabeth Quay on November 15 – has released details for its signature restaurant. Hearth will be led by acclaimed WA chef Jed Gerrard. As the name of the restaurant suggests, chef Jed will embrace the traditional skill of cooking over fire to deliver a seasonal menu, showcasing produce from WA’s premier farmers, fishermen and artisans, complemented with an exclusive local wine list. Renowned for his local food philosophy, Jed will take guests on a culinary journey that celebrates the stories of local culture and traditions, utilising old world smoke and fire cooking techniques and handpicked ingredients.
New restaurant opens at Illegal Tender Rum Co
Located in the coastal town of Dongara on WA’s Coral Coast, the multi-award-winning Illegal Tender Rum Co has expanded its offering with the recent opening of The Common Place. The new eatery showcases local produce through its share plate style menu, rum-infused cocktails, and homemade cake and treats. Visitors can also enjoy a rum tour and tasting at the distillery, followed by a relaxing meal or drink on the restaurant’s deck. Dongara can be reached in a four hour drive north of Perth.
Margaret River ‘unearthed’ in new podcast
The wonders of the internationally acclaimed Margaret River region have been ‘unearthed’ in a series of new podcasts. Wine Unearthed explores the region’s people, the wineries and the extraordinary natural environment – inviting listeners to discover why Lonely Planet named the region as its Top Destination in the Asia Pacific for 2019. The five episodes uncover how wine connects to Aboriginal custodians, big wave surfers and mountain bikers; shares local love stories that have led to surprising collaborations; investigates family dynamics in the winemaking business; and looks at the pivotal role played by the region’s extraordinary natural environment. Led by local food and wine journalist Fleur Bainger, and joined by wine connoisseur and author Peter Forrestal, the stories focus on the locals who live and breathe winemaking in WA’s South West region. The series is available to download through Apple Podcastor Spotify.
WA wins at Gourmet Traveller Awards
WA’s small bar and restaurant scene continues to impress, following a recent win at the 2020 Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards. Wines of While, a cosy wine bar and bottle shop located in Northbridge, was awarded Bar of the Year at the highly-acclaimed awards ceremony. Owner and first-time publican Sam Winfield serves up naturally and organically farmed wines, with by the glass selections changing daily thanks to the 200 wines available in-stock. The bar’s food menu has a Mediterranean influence, with small plate offerings designed to be served with wine.
In addition, Gourmet Traveller has also named Madalena’s in Fremantle as one of Australia’s 10 best new restaurants of 2020. Overlooking Fremantle’s South Beach, it provides a fitting backdrop to a menu dedicated to WA’s fresh seafood, with a focus on natural wines and a boteco (small neighbourhood bar) style atmosphere.
Olive Farm’s new cellar door experience
Olive Farm Wines, located in Perth’s Swan Valley wine region, has introduced a self-service ‘adults-only’ vending machine to its cellar door experience. The four Enomatic Wine dispensing machines allow visitors to try 32 different varieties of Olive Farm produced wine. The custom designed and built display tank uses argon gas, which preserves the quality of the wine once the bottle has been opened. With the assistance of staff, visitors are able to taste a set number of wines from the system by inserting a prepaid card, allowing the machine to dispense a measured tasting serve.
Shelter Brewing Co to open in Busselton
Construction has begun on a new brewery overlooking the iconic Busselton Jetty in WA’s South West. Set to open in spring 2020. Shelter Brewing Co is a family-friendly brewery, featuring corrugated cladding on the external walls and roof which is designed to rust over time, a floor to ceiling glass external wall to showcase the main brewery, indoor trees in the restaurant area, a first floor multi-function room, outdoor area for kids to play, and a beer garden offering stunning ocean views of Geographe Bay.
Sips and bites…What’s new in Perth this month
The cultural hub of West Leederville recently welcomed a 210-person bar, restaurant, bottle shop and café. Besk offers visitors a rotating and considered selection of locally brewed beers, minimal-intervention wines and spirits, complemented with a seasonal menu that focuses on produce and producers.
An old world Boston-inspired bar has recently opened in Subiaco. Fenway Subiaco is serving up craft beer, cocktails, soul food and whisky in a dark and cozy setting, complete with a fireplace, booths with chesterfield couches, pool table and big screen TVs. The menu offers classic burgers, sandwiches, large and small plates, salads, sides and deserts.
One of Perth’s favourite grilled-cheese sandwich-makers, Toastface Grillah, has expanded its offering with the opening of a new flagship café. Located in the edgy Wolf Lane precinct of Perth’s CBD, the new space comprises an indoor area, courtyard and laneway. The menu will feature the same sandwich offering and coffee menu as the existing two shops, but will expand into salads, French fries and soups.
TOURS
New small bar walking tour in Broome
Visitors to Broome in WA’s Kimberley region can now discover the town’s lively small bar scene on a new walking tour with #SoBroome’s Salty Plum Social. Guests will enjoy a leisurely stroll around the historical and newly revitalised Chinatown precinct, stopping in at three small bars for a drink and canapés. Tours cost $75 per person and run daily.
Perth’s first gin distillery tour
Boutique tour operator Hidden deTours will soon be launching Perth’s first Gin Distillery Tour. On this half day tour guests will visit four of Perth’s local craft gin distillers for behind the scenes tours, guided gin tastings with the distillers or staff, plus food. The gin distillers on the itinerary include High Spirits and Sin Gin in Perth; and the Swan Valley’s Old Youngs and Swan Valley Gin Company. The tours will launch on September 29, and will continue for once a month on a Sunday, with tickets priced at $130 per person.
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