Taste Great Southern Festival Returns with a Culinary Extravaganza
The highly anticipated Taste Great Southern festival is set to make a triumphant return from March 5 to 8, offering a smorgasbord of events that span across the picturesque regions of Albany, Denmark, Mount Barker, Katanning, and the Porongurups. With a program so extensive it could fill a long table, this year's edition promises to be a feast for the senses, blending gourmet cuisine, fine wines, and rich cultural experiences.
Star-Studded Chef Lineup and Sold-Out Events
Unsurprisingly, several events have already sold out, reflecting the festival's immense popularity, while others are selling fast. The headline event, Tides of Taste x Singlefile, will see four top chefs gather on the lawns of Maitraya Private Retreat, overlooking the ocean, to cook up a storm. Featured chefs include Jo Barrett, named The Age Good Food Guide 2024 Chef of the Year, Evan Hayter from the award-winning de'sendent in Margaret River, Fervor's Paul "Yoda" Iskov, and Dahl Daddys' Corey Rozario. Singlefile wines will flow freely throughout the event.
Jo Barrett's presence is particularly noteworthy, as she is a sustainable hunter and fisher and the mastermind behind Wildpie, which ethically sources wild game and invasive species for artisan pies, supplying events like the Australian Open.
Adventure and Haute Cuisine Combine
Chef Guy Turland, known from Bondi Harvest, is another big name this year. An ultramarathon runner, Turland is matching a high hike with haute cuisine in the Peak to Plate event. This includes a 2.5-hour guided hike of the Nancy Peak Circuit in the Porongurup Ranges, rated at difficulty level four, followed by a gourmet lunch at Karribank showcasing local produce and Cherubino wines. For those less inclined to hike, limited lunch-only tickets are available.
Collaborative Dining Experiences
Bali-based chef Will Meyrick, of Mama San and other renowned restaurants, joins forces with Perth's Paul Bentley for Four Hands at The Dam, offering a four-course meal paired with local wines and cocktails. Additionally, Jo Barrett and Corey Rozario team up again, this time with Jacob D'Vauz for Chefs on the Green at Denmark Riverside Bowls Club, where guests can enjoy food bowls and barefoot bowling.
In a more intimate setting, Albany's Amy Hamilton opens her private garden for a night of naked-flame cooking and local seafood, alongside Melissa Palinkas from Young George.
Cultural and Wine-Focused Highlights
The festival also celebrates local Menang Noongar culture with events like Kaarl Waangkaninj Merenj — Fire Yarns and Food, running daily and hosted by Menang/Goreng man Lindsay Dean, featuring storytelling and catch-and-cook experiences. Wine lovers are well catered for with tours such as Beyond the Vines with Cyndal Petty, exploring Mount Barker and Porongurup subregions across six wineries, including Plantagenet for lunch, Castle Rock Estate, and Duke's Vineyard.
Another standout is Ocean Meets Vine, held at the Albany Whaling Station, offering freshly shucked Leeuwin Coast Albany Rock Oysters paired with Great Southern Rieslings, hosted by State Buildings director of wine, Emma Farrelly.
Accessible and Family-Friendly Options
For a more relaxed vibe, the Denmark Wine Hop provides a hop-on, hop-off bus linking wineries like Singlefile, The Lake House, Rockcliffe, and Forest Hill, with wine tastings and food vouchers at each stop. The Taste Market at Middleton Beach offers accessible entry for $40 (free for under 18s), featuring 18 wine and beverage producers, chef pop-ups by Luke Foyle, Guy Turland, and Shane Vermaak, and masterclasses from sommeliers Cyndal Petty and Emma Farrelly.
Family-friendly activities include the Boston Brewing Co Artisan Markets, showcasing local cheeses, chocolates, honey, woodwork, and live music. More adventurous attendees can start their day with Cold Nips x Taste Great Southern, a 7am yoga session and ocean swim, with all proceeds going to Foodbank Albany.
Additional Festival Experiences
Rounding out the calendar are more experiences such as The Golden Hour at Lights Beach Brewing, long-table lunches at Majuba Bistro and Pepper & Salt, and a whisky masterclass at Limeburners Albany. The full program and tickets are available at tastegreatsouthern.com.au, ensuring there's something for every palate and interest at this vibrant festival.
