Margaret River Gourmet Escape begins

The international food and wine spotlight will be on the Margaret River Wine Region in the next three days as some of the world's best chefs and thousands of foodies attend the inaugural Margaret River Gourmet Escape.

  • International food and wine festival starts today

  • Features 30 international and national chefs and wine experts

  • Sponsored by State Government through Eventscorp and Royalties for Regions 

The international food and wine spotlight will be on the Margaret River Wine Region in the next three days as some of the world's best chefs and thousands of foodies attend the inaugural Margaret River Gourmet Escape.

Tourism Minister Kim Hames said 30 celebrity chefs and food and wine critics would feature at the Gourmet Village at Leeuwin Estate Winery and at satellite events throughout the region.

"Although Heston Blumenthal has had to withdraw in unfortunate circumstances, there's still a world-class line-up, and to have the likes of Rene Redzepi, Alex Atala, David Chang, Alvin Leung and Sat Bains here is tremendous for Western Australia," Dr Hames said.

"There is also a who's who of Australian chefs, including Neil Perry, Peter Gilmore, Matt Moran, Kylie Kwong, Tetsuyu Wakuda and George Calombaris, to only name a few."

Thanks to the incredible talent line-up, Margaret River Gourmet Escape has attracted significant national and international media interest with journalists attending from the United Kingdom, China, Germany, Malaysia, Japan, Korea, the USA and New Zealand, as well as many prominent Australian food and wine writers.

The State Government is proud to support Gourmet Escape, through Eventscorp's Regional Events Program, which is funded through Royalties for Regions.

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said while Margaret River was the base for the event, premium primary producers across the State would benefit.

"There's also a trade component of Gourmet Escape which includes a delegation of 12 international trade buyers undertaking a 'Culinary Trail' across the Great Southern, Southern Forests and Margaret River regions," Mr Grylls said.

      Fact File

  • Margaret River Gourmet Escape one of three major new 2012 home-grown events

  • Joins BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series and ISPS Handa Perth International golf tournament

  • Growing major events to attract visitors cornerstone of Govt's tourism plan

  • More information at: http://www.gourmetescape.com.au 

Tourism Minister's office - 6552 5300

Regional Development Minister's office - 6552 5500