Best of Perth is a global creation

Taste of Perth in partnership with Electrolux returns to Langley Park next week (May 15-17) with a line-up of top restaurants, masterclasses and artisan stalls for the ultimate foodie fix.

The three-day festival is part of a rolling global feast created by British company Brand Events and celebrated in 22 cities around the world, including London, Oslo, Cape Town, Dubai and Milan.

Building on last year’s launch, which was attended by more than 16,000 people, it will feature 13 restaurants, including Bistro Guillaume, Bib & Tucker, Silks, el Publico and Nobu, along with new talent Mary’s, Asado and Propeller, led by head chef Kurt Sampson whose menu is inspired by the flavours of the Levant and Mediterranean.

“This year’s blend of leading local restaurants offers an exceptional display of Perth’s finest dining options that draws on inspiration from around the globe,” event director Simon Wilson said.

“It’s really important to show off what’s happening here, especially given the bar-focused offerings, so we’ve got Lot 20, for example, doing espresso martinis and coffee-based cocktails this time round.

“The guys at el Publico will put on tequila and mezcal masterclasses and there’ll be a Grape & Grain tasting room where people can learn about small-batch wines.

“All the feedback from last year suggested people wanted to know more about their food and beverages, so we’ve taken note of that in this year’s program.”

In the line-up, 30-minute cooking classes in the Lurpak Cookery School and free cooking demonstrations in the Electrolux Taste Theatre with top chefs, including Dan Masters, from Rockpool Bar & Grill, Dan Fisher (Print Hall), Joel Valvasori-Pereza (Lalla Rookh) and Nobu head sushi chef Noriyoshi Teruya.

More than 70 artisan producers will take part, ranging from Solerno Liquor, which is made from sanguinello blood oranges picked from the sun-drenched slopes of Mt Etna, in Sicily, to the Czech- inspired sweet treat from local producer The Honey Cake, Fruit Me with a range of organic super-berries and supplements, award-winning Tasmanian Grandvewe Cheese, which is known for its sheep-milk products, including vanilla whey liqueur and caramel sheep-milk fudge, and Black Kite Beverages with its unique take on boozy fruit juices, roots and herbs.

Restaurants will each have four taste-size dishes on the board, including at least one $6 menu item because Mr Wilson said the overwhelming message last year was that everyone loved the concept but wanted “more dishes for their dollar”. He estimated 18,000-20,000 people would attend this year.

Signature dishes will be available in limited quantities and the idea is that people create their own dream menu as they browse stalls, take part in wine tastings and enjoy educational table-talk sessions.

The event operates like a restaurant with a lunch and dinner service, each lasting four hours, and uses its own Crown currency, which is loaded on to a $1 refundable bond Crown card. Best value deals are the $55 advance-purchase Silver Crown package which includes entry and $30 Crowns and the $75 advance-purchase Gold Crown Package (entry and $50 Crowns). Entry is otherwise $30 ($12 children 10-17; under-10 free) advance purchase for Friday sessions and $32 advance purchase weekend sessions. Door price is $36 ($15 children).

“Restaurants include some of Perth’s best that prove the hardest to get into but Taste has lined them up and they’ll be ready to serve with no reservations needed,” Mr Wilson said.

Claremont’s Asado, which has been open for just two months, will dish up a taste of Argentinian street food with its signature braised lamb ribs with mint yoghurt, classic ceviche, barbecued rump cap and burnt banana banoffee for dessert.

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase what we do and take part in an event alongside some of Perth’s finest,” owner- operator Rob Bates-Smith said.

Piper-Heidsieck

champagne bar

Learn about one of the oldest champagne houses from Sydney-based master of wine Ned Goodwin when he makes a special appearance in this sparkling display hosted by city stalwart The Heritage.

Mezcal and tequila masterclasses

Learn the trick to mixing the perfect margarita and discover the distilling techniques and drinking rituals behind Mexico’s quintessential agave-based liquors with Mt Lawley favourite el Publico.

Grape & Grain ‘The Tasting Room’

Unleash your inner sommelier as you swirl, sniff and sip your way to unlocking the secrets behind a brilliant drop in an intimate masterclass on small-batch wines.

The Taste Taphouse

Enjoy some of the best craft beers from around Australia, including James Squires and Feral Brewing Company, all on tap and available in single serves or, if you’re spoilt for choice, indulge in a sampler paddle.

Electrolux Taste Theatre

Pick up a cooking tip or two from some of Perth’s best chefs live on stage. There will be four free demonstrations at each Taste session. Included in the line-up, Dan Masters, from Rockpool Bar & Grill, Dan Fisher (Print Hall), Joel Valvasori-Pereza (Lalla Rookh) and Noriyoshi Teruya (Nobu).

Taste of Perth operates like a restaurant with a lunch and dinner service. Lunch sessions run from noon till 4pm, Friday-Sunday, and dinner sessions run from 5.30pm-9.30pm on Friday and Saturday. Book through tasteofperth.com.au.

Nobu’s seared salmon sashimi with chocolate, yuzu karashi su miso, cocoa nibs, fried kataifi ($10)

Modo Mio’s vitello tonnato with veal, tuna and caper mayo, quail egg, truffle oil ($6)

el Publico’s pork belly taco with roasted pineapple, salsa picante and chicharron ($8)

Mary Street Bakery doughnut with peanut butter and jam ($6)

Asado’s lomito with barbecued rump cap, chimichurri, chipotle mayo, salsa criolla ($8)

Next Door at No.4’s croquettes with taleggio, broccolini, lardo, hazelnut marmalade ($10)

Propeller’s grilled occy with peas, smoked almonds, fetta salad ($10)

Bib & Tucker’s Flinders Island wallaby shank with wild rice, pickled grape agrodolce ($16)

Lalla Rookh’s fried custard with candied citrus, toasted almonds ($6)