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Gourmet Escape joins cancelled events

Catherine MasseyBusselton Dunsborough Times
Some of the region’s best chefs showcased their talents at last year’s Gourmet Escape this weekend. L-R George Cooper (Tiller Dining), Ben Jacob (WISE), Seth James (Wills Domain), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Blair Allen (Amelia Park restaurant), Raymond Van Puymbroeck (Voyager), Amanda Smith (South Regional TAFE).
Camera IconSome of the region’s best chefs showcased their talents at last year’s Gourmet Escape this weekend. L-R George Cooper (Tiller Dining), Ben Jacob (WISE), Seth James (Wills Domain), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Blair Allen (Amelia Park restaurant), Raymond Van Puymbroeck (Voyager), Amanda Smith (South Regional TAFE). Credit: Jackson Lavell-Lee/Busselton-Dunsborough Times, Jackson Lavell-Lee

The beloved and popular Western Australia Gourmet Escape today announced it will not go ahead in November due to “ongoing uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and current movement restrictions.”

Since emerging eight years ago, the up-market event has seen nearly 150,000 national and international visitors come to the area for the frivolities.

City of Busselton mayor Grant Henley said the event will be missed due to this wide ranging audience.

“Gourmet Escape was good to raise awareness of the wonderful fresh produce and premium wines in our region, and it will be missed,” he said.

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The ten-day food and wine festival each year aims to transform the Capes from Margaret River to Dunsborough into an epicurean hub of culinary delights.

The food-fest usually boasts world-class chefs who have the opportunity to meet the finest Australian produce, award-winning wines and one-of-a-kind foods.

Due to the severe COVID-19 impact on tourism, Gourmet Escape event director Sarah Lovell said the team would work with Tourism WA to support the regions revival, as well as to boost visitation efforts.

“We are pleased to share that plans are already underway for Western Australia Gourmet Escape in November 2021 which will see the beloved festival return with an even bigger lineup of world-class culinary talent and extraordinary food and wine experiences,” Ms Lovell said.

The cancellation of the audience-attracting event closely followed the cancellation of Ironman WA – two events which will impact regional tourism, which continues to suffer amid the pandemic.

Mr Henley said the impact of the Ironman would be significant but he hoped the upcoming Busselton Festival of Triathlon would be another great driver for tourism.

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