Only a fortnight before Nigella Lawson, Rick Stein and company arrive on the west coast for one of Australia’s premier foodie events known as the Margaret River Gourmet Escape, Marriott International teams up with Westpac to give us a taste of Journey To Gourmet Escape. Scott Podmore reports on an enticing entree before the party begins.
Top gun chefs Michael Greenlaw (Allegro Restaurant) and Brendan Pratt (Vasse Felix) joined forces in Melbourne recently.
Food lovers around Australia are getting a taste of Western Australia’s finest in the lead up to next month’s Margaret River Gourmet Escape.
Sponsored by Marriott International and Westpac, for the first time ever the famous Aussie food and wine event has hit the road as ‘Journey To Gourmet Escape’ giving Australians the chance to experience the essence of the extraordinary festival.
First stop was Sydney last month, followed by Melbourne last week and Gold Coast tonight before last stop in Perth on November 14.
The Melbourne event held at Allegro Restaurant at The Westin in Collins Street last week featured commentary throughout the evening by MC and entertaining wine expert Mike Bennie, along with chef Brendan Pratt (Vasse Felix) from the 2018 Gourmet Escape line up, in collaboration with Michelin-starred Westin Melbourne Executive Chef Michael Greenlaw (Allegro Restaurant).
Yarrie Station and Outback Beef’s Annabelle Coppin is flanked by chefs Brendan Pratt and Michael Greenlaw.
Vasse Felix & Outback Beef
Guests were treated to a tantalising five-course dinner paired with Vasse Felix wines – a truly indulgent celebration of WA produce and wines which Margaret River is renowned for globally.
Some stunning beef cuts were provided by Outback Beef and Yarrie Station, a 250-hectare rangeland property just north of Marble Bar in WA. Managing Director of Outback Beef and owner of Yarrie Station Annabelle Coppin told guests: “I’ve grown up eating Yarrie beef and know too well the special natural flavour it holds, so it with great pride and pleasure I can share it with you.”
Marriott is one of the Margaret River Gourmet Escape’s sponsors this year which forms part of the hotel chain’s ongoing expansion of its food and beverage offerings across the Pacific through a series of events and partnerships. Find out more at Marriott’s new website
Nigella Lawson returns to charm audiences at Margaret River Gourmet Escape.
Nigella and co return
Margaret River Gourmet Escape will take place on November 16-18 and has been described as an “astonishing” event in a “magical destination” by returning star and famous food celebrity Nigella Lawson.
Others returning to the event include crowd-favourites Rick and Jack Stein, Tetsuya Wakuda, Guy Grossi, Julien Royer, Ashley Palmer-Watts and Mitch Orr. They’ll be joined by an impressive line-up of first-time chefs and wine experts, to host more than 45 special events in more than 25 unique and beautiful Margaret River locations.
Other sponsors this year include Singapore Airlines, Lexus and Australian Good Meat.
New on the Escape menu
New events on the menu in 2018 include: Chow’s Table Chinese Feast, showcasing three young guns of modern Chinese cooking for one high-energy evening of food, drink and storytelling; Nigella’s Tea Party at Howard Park, serving flutes of sparkling wine and locally baked treats as Lawson talk candidly about life, television and cake; and Fishtales with Rick Stein at Wills Domain, providing food for thought and seafood delights.
Be in the Know!
Sign up to be "in the know" and receive the very best in exclusive deals, travel tips and news.
