Winning Appliances & Asko present Truffle Kerfuffle from 21 to 23 June at Fonty’s Pool in Manjimup, nestled in Western Australia’s south west, and is set to be the biggest celebration for truffle lovers in the event’s nine year history. Winning Appliances & Asko present Truffle Kerfuffle from 21 to 23 June at Fonty’s Pool in Manjimup, nestled in Western Australia’s south west, and is set to be the biggest celebration for truffle lovers in the event’s nine year history.
Held in the most prolific truffle growing region in the Southern Hemisphere, the festival is a true celebration of Manjimup’s prized black truffles, sought-after by chefs across the globe for their consistent high quality, impossible-to-describe taste and heady, earthy aroma.
The stellar line up of culinary talent heading to the Southern Forests region includes Pete Evans, Poh, Anna Gare, Nic Wood, Aaron Carr, Russell Blaikie, Tony Howell, Paul Iskov, Scott Brannigan, Melissa Palinkas, Amy Hamilton, Sophie Budd along with chefs from revered eateries Mary Street Bakery and Tiny’s.
Headlining this year is one of Australia’s most recognisable chefs, Pete Evans, a restaurateur, author of 20 books on healthy cooking and lifestyle, health coach, television presenter and a judge on long-running hit television show MKR. His passion for food and a healthy lifestyle inspires individuals and families around the world and he is looking forward to showcasing the exceptional Southern Forests produce at Truffle Kerfuffle.
“I am stoked to be able to come and spend the weekend at Truffle Kerfuffle and explore the Southern Forests region,” Evans said.
“I’m especially excited to cook with Manjimup truffles. Truffles are so amazing and unique, the taste and perfume they add to a dish is incredible, there’s good reason why they are a much-loved ingredient.
“Fresh local produce grown and raised with love and care is really what excites me about food and I cannot wait to try some of the region’s stand out ingredients.”
Pete Evans will open the Winning Appliances & Asko Truffle Kerfuffle with a long-table celebration at the Enchanted Southern Forests Feast on Friday 21 June at the Festival Restaurant. He will also be sharing recipes, cooking tips and tastings with wine in an intimate Chef’s Cabin masterclass, he’ll get Sunday underway with the Wholesome Winter Brunch in the Festival Restaurant and appear on the free Winning Appliances & Asko Festival Stage.
Joining Evans is popular television personality and cook Poh, a self-confessed avid baker, cookbook author, novice gardener and esteemed visual artist. Poh’s food career began when she finished runner up in the first season of MasterChef and has since hosted five seasons of her own cooking show. Gather around Poh’s kitchen bench with a glass of wine in hand for flowing conversation at her intimate masterclass in the Chef’s Cabin. Poh will also appear on the free Winning Appliances & Asko Festival Stage.
“I’m so excited to be coming to Truffle Kerfuffle and I can’t wait to be in truffle country surrounded by truffle lovers – oh and truffle dogs! I’ve never been to Manjimup and I’ve heard so many lovely things about it – tall timber forests, rolling green pastures and amazing produce – I can’t wait to cook with it,” Poh said.
Creating Saturday night’s long-table celebration, L’Elegante Tartufo in the Festival Restaurant, is Santini Bar and Grill’s executive chef Nic Wood with Melissa Palinkas chef and co-owner of Young George. The warm and welcoming Italian-inspired feast with rich and hearty dishes will feature the best farmed and foraged ingredients of the Southern Forests region with the chefs letting the incredible flavours of the produce speak for themselves.
Aaron Carr, head chef from two-hatted south west restaurant Yarri, will team up with the Mary Street Bakery in the Festival Restaurant for the Magical Manjimup Brunch on Saturday to create a lavish four-course start to the weekend. The menu will be brimming with Southern Forests produce, starring marron, the region’s local crustacean specialty.
Popular cook Anna Gare will be demonstrating dishes on the free Winning Appliances & Asko Festival Stage with MC chef Tony Howell. Anna combined her passion for food and her love of performing (she used to be in a girl band!) to forge an impressive television career. Anna’s simple delicious recipes along with her infectious energy, charisma and warm personality make her an audience favourite.
The owner and executive chef of the soon-to-be opened Coogee Hotel, Scott Brannigan, passed the reins of running Bread In Common to long-serving head chef, Chris Eales. Creating two courses each, their Chef’s Cabin masterclass matched with local wines will showcase practical know-how on how to recreate delicious dishes at home.
The Chef’s Cabin masterclass sessions are a perfect way to learn about how to best use truffles, particularly suited for foodies or those who are a little intimidated by using such a premium ingredient.
Sharing recipes, knowledge with lots of tips and tricks around the kitchen bench, the limited Chef’s Cabin masterclasses includes one of Australia’s leading chefs with native food expertise, Fervor’s Paul Iskov, revered Liberté restaurant owner and chef Amy Hamilton and prominent chef and owner of Must Winebar, Russell Blaikie. Hosted by Gourmet Traveller’s Max Veenhuyzen, the Chef’s Cabin masterclasses are renowned for personal connections, flowing conversations and include fine wine.
With good food, comes good wine, and leading wine expert Paul Edwards from Full Bottle Wine Education and Events is curating the Truffle Kerfuffle wine program and running the Wine Shed. Wine Shed Sessions with Paul Edwards include up to six tastings in an informal long table format featuring the best regional wine.
The Truffle Kerfuffle Festival Village is family friendly and includes free kids cooking classes with chef Sophie Budd in the Winning Appliances & Asko Kids Cooking School, games of bocce and tombola, truffle dog demonstrations, truffle-laden dishes to try and buy, music and more.
Festival President Jeremy Beissel said that this year’s Winning Appliances & Asko Truffle Kerfuffle program includes more culinary talent than ever before.
“The range of culinary talent from award-winning chefs to talented home cooks will showcase that truffles, while exquisite, are accessible for everyone to use at home,” Beissel said.
“Ninety per cent of the total value of all food and wine at the event is from the Southern Forests region.
“Our local partners, the truffle industry, farmers, winemakers and countless numbers of volunteers all contribute monumentally to making Truffle Kerfuffle a success for the region, it’s mind blowing,” Beissel said.
The Truffle Kerfuffle Inc, the not for profit association that set up Truffle Kerfuffle nine years ago, is locally run and supported by experienced event management company, Mellen Events.
The State Government is a proud supporter of the Truffle Kerfuffle through Tourism WA’s Regional Events Program.
Tourism Minister Paul Papalia encouraged people to visit the area to experience Truffle Kerfuffle and take the opportunity to explore the Southern Forests region.
“Truffle Kerfuffle is a great celebration of the quality local produce Western Australia has to offer including the highly sought-after Manjimup black truffle,” he said.
“Regional events such as Truffle Kerfuffle play an important role in raising awareness of the area as a tourism destination and also benefit the local economy.”
Other Program Highlights
The Marketplace, Sat 22 June and Sun 23 June, Free with Festival Village Entry Ticket
• The heart of the festival. A bounty of truffles, gourmet food (hot and cold), premium wine, cider and local produce on offer to eat straight away or enjoy at home. Gather around the campfire and enjoy pop-up dining experiences from some of WA’s top restaurants and bars.
Wine Shed Sessions with Paul Edwards, Sat 22 June and Sun 23 June, Ticketed. Note: Wine Shed Sessions do not include Festival Village Entry
• Discover the Southern Forests best; expert guidance through the Manjimup and Pemberton wine regions diverse varietals.
Truffle Hunts, Ticketed
• Meet the truffle dogs, our festival scene-stealers. See them at work on the famed orchards of Manjimup. A rare chance to have a go at unearthing a truffle yourself and glimpse the mystery that surrounds this prized ingredient.
Winning Appliances & Asko Festival Stage Sat 22 June and Sun 23 June, Free with Festival Entry Ticket
• Head to the Festival Stage to see chefs, truffle growers and farmers as they’re put to work in cooking demonstrations that celebrate Manjimup black truffles alongside seasonal regional produce.
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