Celebrity chef Blumenthal back in WA
He is arguably the most-recognisable chef in the world and he is back in Perth to savour WA's premier food and wine event.
Michelin-star chef Heston Blumenthal is one of the star attractions at this weekend's Margaret River Gourmet Escape, which kicks off on Friday.
Blumenthal attended a press conference this morning at Crown Perth with Australian chef Peter Gilmore, whose Quay restaurant in Sydney is considered among the world's best.
Both Blumenthal and Gilmore were full of praise for West Australian produce and said they were so impressed by the quality that they had sourced local ingredients for their restaurants.
This year's star line-up at Gourmet Escape includes more than 30 international and Australian chefs and foodie celebrities such as Italian chef Massimo Bottura (Osteria Francescana); seafood guru Rick Stein; chefs Sat Bains, Dan Hong, Guillaume Brahimi, George Calombaris, Frank Camorra and Jock Zonfrillo; and UK food critic A.A. Gill.
Talented local chefs include Hadleigh Troy, Danny Angove, Tony Howell, Sam Ward, Shane Watson and newly crowned The West Australian Good Food Guide Chef of the Year Aaron Carr.
"Honestly, I don't think there is any other food event on this planet like this," Blumenthal has said of the event.
The State Government this week announced that it had committed funding for the event, which is run by Brand Events, until at least 2017.
Heston Blumenthal and Peter Gilmore. Picture Ian Munro/The West Australian
Acting Tourism Minister John Day said consultation had found strong support for the event from consumers, the industry and advocacy groups in the Margaret River region and across the State, he said.
"The Margaret River Gourmet Escape has moved the culinary landscape," Mr Day said.
"No other event in Australia attracts chefs with such culinary talent."
The event, which is now in its third year, had reaped dividends for WA attracting celebrity chefs from around the world and Australia including Blumenthal, Rene Redzepi and Bottura.
It had generated $9 million in global publicity for WA.
Mr Day said the 2013 event resulted in more than 33,000 room nights booked in the region and more than $10.5 million in direct economic impact.
"It has achieved critical acclaim, generated tourism, established itself as a leading food and wine festival on the world stage in just two years, and given Western Australia a significant share of the culinary spotlight," he said.
Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the State Government was proud to sponsor the Margaret River Gourmet Escape through Tourism WA's Regional Events Program, which is funded by Royalties for Regions.
"This is a fantastic event for Western Australia because it puts the State and the South West firmly on the global culinary map," Mr Redman said.
"It provides trade potential and broad exposure for local producers as well as local employment and training opportunities."
For tickets or details, visit http://www.gourmetescape.com.au .
