Escape to the west

You’re be hard pressed to find anyone more passionate about the Margaret River region and the Margaret River Gourmet Escape presented by Audi. Celebrated chef and Audi ambassador, Guillaume Brahimi lights up at the very mention of the remote part of Western Australia that attracts visitors, chefs and sommeliers from all over Australia and around the world.

“There is incredible energy at Margaret River,” says the French born chef “ and everyone is happy, which is incredible when you have 50 top chefs and me,” he laughs.

Certainly the fact that everyone seems to get along in what is a beautiful location but a high pressure environment for the chefs is no small feat.

With some 60 individual events held across three days, visitors are spoilt for choice. From the very relaxed to fine dining there is literally something at the award-winning MRGE for everyone. But that’s just as well given the popularity of the event which has grown from a very small gathering of likeminded food and wine enthusiasts, attracted to the area because of its extraordinary fresh produce just five years ago.

Audi Australia assumed its role as presenting partner three years ago and the event continues to grow at a tremendous rate. Tickets for events start at just $20 and go right up to the likes of the celebrated Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon Experience which is already sold out at $600 a ticket.

Those not already holding tickets to the Cape Mentelle event though need not worry as there is no shortage of fabulous food and wine on offer, as well as boutique beers and a range of incredible culinary experiences to be had.

Guillaume will be creating the famed Audi Beach bar-b-que which is always a highlight of MRGE. Held right on the sand at the stunning Castle Bay Beach, guests will enjoy Brahimi’s special brand of culinary magic in one of the most idyllic spots in the country. 

At the intimate MRGE launch event held at Bistro Guillaume in Sydney, Brahimi is animated at the prospect of heading west again to a place he holds dear and says is perhaps partly responsible for him staying in Australia in the first place!

Indeed, the chef literally arrived back in Sydney from Western Australia only the night before and jokes that he could have brought the Fremantle octopus that is on today’s lunch menu, with him.

“I remember when I first came to Australia 24 years ago, some friends shared some wine from Margaret River with me and I was blown away,” he says. Since then he has forged strong ties with the west, including opening Bistro Guillaume in Perth and being a regular at the MRGE.

“There are I think 212 wineries in the Margaret River area,” says Guillaume. ‘Two hundred and 17’ corrects Hanna Pike, MD of IMG Culinary, responsible for putting the event together.

“Well, that means I still have few to try,” he laughs.

But such is the tremendous variety in the Margaret River region that visitors will always be able to try new things as well as revisiting old favourites.

For those yet to experience the magic of the MRGE, the event runs from November 18-20 – for those who have already been west, it’s a fair bet they are already packing and counting the sleeps to the opening day.