Gascoyne Food Festival Boosts Region

Wind and rain could not dampen the excitement with yet another successful start to the Gascoyne Food Festival in Carnarvon. Events attracted over 2000 guests, including the Taste of the Gascoyne Sunset BBQ, Long Table Lunch, Sue Helmot’s art exhibition, Gascoyne Growers Market and the Carnarvon Races. Satellite events also kicked off on Dirk Hartog Island and Exmouth giving visitors a taste of adventure along with the amazing gourmet dishes prepared by top WA chefs.
The Long Table Lunch at Bentwaters Plantation, MC’d by RedFM’s Alana McLean, reached it’s peak with 360 places set for an 8 course shared-degustation featuring the best of the Gascoyne’s meat, seafood and fresh produce. The team of chefs, led by Stuart Laws of Showcase Events WA, prepped mouthwatering dishes including Mareterram prawns, 12 hour Harvey Beef Rib, smoked and roasted Frzop eggplant and Sweeter Banana parfait alongside Rockcliffe Wines, Pemberley of Pemberton Wines and Gage Roads beer and cider.
Not only did the 12 top chefs from across the state cook up great food, but were also able to discover the Food Bowl of WA for themselves and meet the friendly locals. In Carnarvon, chefs were taken on a tour of the plantations and boat harbour where they learned about the huge variety of food available and the challenges industry faces.
The experience left its mark on MasterChef Australia 2018 contestant Brendan Pang, who found himself more connected to the bigger picture when it comes to food, particularly how food grows and how it reaches the plate.
“I learnt that not only are we so far away from where our food grows but we are also wasting a lot. On top of that our farmers are getting older and facing lots of challenges at the same time,” Brendan said. “If you live in WA make sure to spot the Buy West Eat Best logo to know you’re eating local,” he added.
On Dirk Hartog Island the Gourmet Island Escape was held over 3 nights. Chef Russell Blaikie from Perth’s Must Winebar created an epic paella featuring crayfish from Steep Point on the Wednesday night. Followed up by a sell-out 6 course Long Table Lunch prepared by Food By The Chef’s George Cooper, with Welcome To Country and foraged local ingredients provided by Darren ‘Capesy’ Capewell from Wula Gura Nyinda. Campfire singalongs with music by Leigh Aldersea were an added bonus.
Mantarays Ningaloo Resort in Exmouth also hosted a special evening against yet another stunning backdrop, welcoming WA Food Ambassador Don Hancey as MC and to serve up a special Exmouth prawn dish. The extensive menu was prepared by Head Chef Nick Daniels’ team and featured meat, seafood and indigenous ingredients, alongside Rockliffe Wines and Whalebone Brewing Company beers.
The fun is not yet over with two more great events on the cards. Froth Craft Brewery will be hosting a Beergustation on the 16th of August at their venue in Exmouth with the 6 course menu carefully paired with artisan beers made onsite. The festival then wraps up at Mount Augustus with Australia’s Biggest BBQ at the World’s Biggest Rock on the 8th September, hosted by Chef Stuart Laws of Showcase Events WA.