WA Signature Dish set for grand finale showdown

• WA Signature Dish finalists to compete in grand finale on November 22
• The dishes feature 'hero' ingredients from the regions of Peel, Gascoyne, Kimberley and Swan Valley and surrounds

Seafood, native bush foods and a passion for local produce will be key ingredients in the WA Signature Dish grand finale on November 22.

Agriculture and Food Minister Ken Baston said four amateur cooks would put their skills to the test at Margaret River Gourmet Escape.

"WA Signature Dish is a wonderful way to recognise and acknowledge the outstanding produce and culinary talent we have in this State," Mr Baston said.

The competition is delivered by the Department of Agriculture and Food as part of the Buy West Eat Best program.

"The talent on display during the semi-final competition this week was impressive, with the judges noting that simple dishes cooked beautifully scored the highest," the Minister said.

Rachel Hartshorn will represent the Peel region with a Harvey Beef eye fillet, bush tomato, native thyme and pepperberry with red wine jus. 

Matt Cook will showcase Swan Valley and surrounds produce with a lemon-myrtle marron laksa-inspired curry.

The Kimberley will be represented by Arylene Westlake-Jennings with Cone Bay barramundi and green mango and mizuna salad.

Jerolina Rankin will represent the Gascoyne region with a Gascoyne seafood broth with Shark Bay wild prawns.

The finalists will take part in a 60 minute live cook-off on stage and present their dish for judging to chefs Guillaume Brahimi and Shane Osborn and restaurant critic Matt Preston to select the 2015 winner.

The four finalists will work with a mentor chef including Chris Taylor (Fraser's), Peter Manifis (Incontro), Kiren Mainwaring (Co-op Dining) and Jason Hutchen (Redmanna Waterfront Restaurant) to perfect their dishes before the finale.

"The program will host a pop-up restaurant at Gourmet Escape on November 21-22, where the public will be able to buy the four finale dishes and vote for their favourite," Mr Baston said.

"The dish with the most votes will be awarded the People's Choice award at the cook-off final."

Fact File

• Chef Peter Manifis will prepare about 6,000 of the finalist dishes for visitors to try at Gourmet Escape on the November 21-22, as part of the pop-up restaurant
• For details on this year's finalist dishes, visit http://www.wasignaturedish.com.au

Minister's office - 6552 5400