Visiting and local chefs at the 2017 Margaret River Gourmet Escape sang the praises of the event, with many claiming the festival is the best of its kind in the world.
Headlining celebrity chef Curtis Stone said he had a “brilliant” time and that it was awesome to go back to where his television show Surfing the Menu began 14 years ago.
“It’s a really special part of the world. The produce, the wineries, the weather, the people, and the beach barbecue was crazy fun,” he said.
Announced this year as the World’s Best Female Chef, Slovenian-born Ana Ros was full of compliments for the region and the festival on her second visit to the event.
I went to Pierre Koffman’s restaurant when I was 17 years old, spending two week’s wages on lunch, you know – and this morning I had breakfast with him.
- Ashley Palmer-Watts
“It is really stunning and beautiful here, this is one of the reasons why I am back, because it is so different from where I come from,” she said.
“I think the way you are able to protect and celebrate nature is very special.”
Chilean chef, author and restaurant-epreneur Rodolfo Guzman said the way the region’s chefs and food lovers approached sustainable growth and production was reminiscent of his own homeland’s foraging scene, making special note of chef Paul ‘Yoda’ Iskov’s passion for indigenous ingredients.
Busselton based Iskov from Fervor said throughout Gourmet Escape so many amazing people came to the region. “It is a really good vibe and the local people are quite proud to show off what we have down here,” he said.
Iskov said the event was recognised around the world and it was the best food event in Australia, providing an opportunity to showcase local produce.
Now on his fourth appearance in the Margaret River region, executive chef of the Fat Duck Group and Dinner by Heston in Melbourne, Ashley Palmer Watts said he hadn’t experienced any signs of ‘Gourmet Escape fatigue’.
“I love it, I think it’s really important that we all spend time in the Village, and get around and meet people who actually come to Gourmet Escape,” he said.
“I find it hard to believe sometimes that they actually want to take a picture, or say hello, or say they’ve been to your restaurant.”
Palmer-Watts said the event gave him the chance to meet his own food heroes.
“I went to Pierre Koffman’s restaurant when I was 17 years old, spending two week’s wages on lunch, you know – and this morning I had breakfast with him.
“When I was young, I used to go to Rick Stein’s restaurant in Cornwall and peer in the window to catch a glimpse of him – not having the money to actually go in. Now to be able to sit down and have a glass of wine with him here is such an experience.
“I hope it continues, I think it’s one of the best events in the world.”
Nicky Lefebvre
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
