Gascoyne Food Festival Launch

On 1 July, the Gascoyne Food Council hosted around 40 media, chefs and VIP’s at an official launch event for the upcoming Gascoyne Food Festival at Yagan Square in Perth. The launch provided a platform to announce the line up of festival activities, chefs attending the festival and a competition for two lucky people to win their way to the events in Carnarvon.
Gascoyne Food Council’s Executive Officer, Doriana Mangili welcomed guests to the launch and announced some new initiatives for 2018, including a collaboration with WA Racing, resulting in Red FM’s Alana McClean joining the Long Table Lunch as MC, plus the inclusion of an art exhibition featuring Artist in Residence Sue Helmot from the 6-18th August in Carnarvon.
“To be involved in an event that celebrates the farmers of the Gascoyne and showcases their delicious, fresh produce is such a thrill! I’m looking forward to a spectacular afternoon at the beautiful Bentwaters Plantation and being part of such a unique WA experience,” said Alana.
“The Gascoyne Food Festival is about so much more than food,” said Doriana. “The festival brings the community together to support each other, boost the local economy and showcase the hard work of the growers, fishers and pastoralists in the region.”
Chef Stuart Laws of Showcase Events WA will play a large role at this years festival, taking part in three key events including the Taste of the Gascoyne Sunset BBQ, Long Table Lunch and Australia’s Biggest BBQ at the World’s Biggest Rock at Mount Augustus.
“As a chef, it is an honour to once again be a part of the festival and I am excited to pass on my appreciation for the fresh and delicious foods of the region to the top chefs coming along this year,” said Stuart.
As always there is something for everyone, with events held across the region including Dirk Hartog Island, Exmouth, Mount Augustus and Carnarvon, all showcasing amazing local meat, seafood, fresh fruit and vegetables.
Following in festival tradition a top line-up of chefs will be joining the festival, with the largest contingent heading to Carnarvon for the Taste of Gascoyne BBQ and Long Table Lunch events. The chefs will experience the region up-close and personal with visits to local growers and producers before creating restaurant-quality dishes for guests.
Confirmed chefs for the festival include:
• Stuart Laws – Showcase Events
• Liam Atkinson – Ku Dining
• Lucas Fernandez – Long Chim
• Dean Wood – Taylor St Quarters
• Nathan Thomas – Laundry 43
• Gurpreet Bagga – Sauma
• Jason Beste – Supper Road
• Melissa Palinkas – Young George
• George Cooper – Food By The Chef
• Don Hancey – WA Food Ambassador
Adding to the excitement in the lead to the festival is a competition with MIX 94.5 for two lucky people to win tickets to attend events in Carnarvon, including flights and accommodation from the 9-11 August. The competition launches on the radio and online on the 3rd July.