- To see full coverage of this year's Gourmet escape, click here.
THE Margaret River Gourmet Escape 2014 has been dubbed the best yet.
With 21, 917 tickets sold, more than double that of the first Escape, the event has found itself as one of the must see events for food and wine enthusiasts world wide.
The 20 satellite events this year attracted over 8,288 people to unique locations throughout the region where food, drink and the environment were enjoyed by all.
The Gourmet Village at Leeuwin Estate in particular saw 13,629 enthusiasts take in over 170 exhibitors and restaurants delivering their goods.
“Each year we aim to up the ante and deliver a truly unique and exceptional program of events which have evolved as well as the creation of new ideas to ensure we are properly representing the region and all it has to offer to international, interstate and local audiences,” event director Naomi Wilson said.
“What makes Margaret River Gourmet Escape different from any other food and wine festival on the planet is not only the ability to showcase the region’s offerings in breathtaking remarkable locations but also the genuine enthusiasm from the participating chefs, food and wine experts which is integral in promoting the Margaret River Wine Region to a local and global market,” Wilson said.
“Everything’s laid on. It’s just an absolutely brilliant event from the village to amazing dinners with some of the best chefs in the world. You know there’s very few things that you can go to like that,” Chef at Restaurant Gordon Ramsey Clare Smyth said.
“Margaret River Gourmet Escape is one of the best events in the country,” Chef and restaurateur, Jacques Reymond said.
“I’m very emotional to be here because it’s a wonderful part of Australia. It’s so remote but once you get here you feel at home, and it’s wonderful.”
Margaret River Gourmet Escape aims to deliver a program unlike any other which incorporates a lauded international and local line up of food and wine talent, this year including the likes of Heston Blumenthal, Massimo Bottura, Rick Stein and Peter Gilmore.
Last month, the West Australian State Government announced continued funding for the event until at least 2017.
The next Margaret River Gourmet Escape will take place from 20 – 22 November 2015.
For event information: www.gourmetescape.com.au