Celebrating the flavours of WA

Celebrating the rich and diverse fare that has made the Margaret River region what it is for food and wine lovers, the Local origins at Vasse Felix dinner was sold out well ahead of this year’s Margaret River Gourmet Escape (MRGE) presented by Audi.

Featuring the combined talent of three outstanding chefs and their respective teams, diners were treated to a culinary tour de force at the stunningly beautiful Vasse Felix estate.

Bringing together the talents of Vasse Felix’s own Aaron Carr, Jed Gerrard (Wildflower in Perth) and pop-up curator and forager Paul Iskov, the evening was designed around a menu of locally sourced ingredients with a distinctly Western Australian flavour, accompanied by some of Margaret River's finest wines.

Guests relaxed on the lawns of this stunning venue, enjoying a cool glass of the region’s famous wine as they enjoyed a classic WA sunset. Among the guests were Audi Australia’s Managing Director, Andrew Doyle and his wife Toby, as well as internationally renowned ‘Domestic Goddess’ herself, Nigella Lawson, who also proved insights into her food rationale and recipe for living a good life later in the evening. After taking in the atmosphere for which Vasse Felix is famous, guests were seated in the Vasse Felix Art Gallery for the gastronomic extravaganza to follow.

To start, Jed Gerrard of Wildflower created a delicate dish of raw scallops, sour grass with green and red strawberries and eucalyptus. Perfectly matched to the 2015 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon. Jed’s work is well known around the country and includes time working with Tetsuya Wakuda, as well as working as Executive Chef at Black by Ezard in Sydney amongst others. 

Paul Iskov followed with his own brand of culinary heaven with local delicacy, maron, teamed with kulyu, sea celery and Mukinbudin salt, accompanied by a 2015 Heytesbury Chardonnay. Paul’s resume is as impressive as his skills in the kitchen. He has worked with Audi ambassador Shannon Bennett at Vue De Monde and at the famed Noma, where his passion for native ingredients flourished under the nurture of René Redzepi.

Next is was Vasse Felix Executive Chef, Aaron Carr’s turn to dazzle guests with the rich taste of the region. Succulent lamb with red cabbage and fermented barley and broad beans simply melted in the mouth, paired with either a 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon or a 2012 Heytesbury. Aaron has cooked all over the world and has also captained the Margaret River cooking team for Tasting Australia in 1999 and 2001 and his experience shone through on the night.

A collaboration between the culinary masters followed as Vasse Felix, Wildflower and Fervour produced a special take on milk and honey, perfectly matched to a 2014 Cane Cut Semillon.

The evening concluded with an intimate Q&A with this year’s MRGE special guest, Nigella Lawson.  Chatting with television personality Magdalena Roze, Lawson spoke of her great love of the Western Australian Margaret River Region and how impressed she has been on this, her first visit to MRGE. Nigella was unabashed in her praise of the event and the blossoming love affair she has with Australia.