Food fest’s star line-up a treat

An all-female line-up of culinary experts will serve up a selection of tantalising meals to Mid West foodies as part of the upcoming Gascoyne Food Festival.

Touted as Australia’s biggest gastronomic experience, the event sold out last year and will this year feature delicious activities in Carnarvon, Exmouth, Burringurrah, Shark Bay and Coral Bay.

One of the highlights will be a long-table dinner prepared using fresh Gascoyne produce by Australian chefs Sophie Budd, Melissa Palinkas, Amy Hamilton, Ning Lai, Amanda Young and Valeria Lucchitto-Andreoli.

Perth-based chocolatier Sue Lewis will also combine some of the region’s finest fruit with world-class chocolate to create the perfect after-dinner treat.

With Australian-grown cocoa beans hard to come by, Ms Lewis says she tries hard to support local growers.

“I source the best chocolate from around the world but then I use as much local ingredients as I can,” she said.

“During the festival, we will be using passionfruit, strawberries, bananas and some black sapote (also known as chocolate pudding fruit).

“I just got some Geraldton wax on the way to work and we infuse that into cream, a bit like we do with vanilla.”

I just love cooking with other chefs and seeing what they create — plus, I love Carnarvon and have made some good friends in the Gascoyne.

“I love working with male chefs, too, but it’s a rare treat to work with all women and we have some awesome powerhouse chicks cooking at this year’s dinner,” she said.

“I just love cooking with other chefs and seeing what they create — plus, I love Carnarvon and have made some good friends in the Gascoyne.”

The festival will run from July 31 to September 18.