WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE (What’s Happening

What's on your plate?

AUGUST

GOOD FOOD AND WINE SHOW (30 July-1 August) The perfect day out for food and wine lovers. Enjoy a fantastic day out with friends at the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre, and wander through the show, sampling from hundreds of stalls, chatting to winemakers and distillers and hearing their stories. Join in the fun of a masterclass from wine and cheese pairing to whisky tasting, graze pop-up restaurants, then sit back and be entertained by your favourite chefs as they demonstrate their delicious recipes live on stage. For more information go to www.goodfoodshow.com.au

PERTH GIN & FOOD FEST (6-8 August) Distillers will be strutting their stuff and serving G&Ts for you throughout the sessions at the Naval Store Canning Highway, Fremantle. Meet craft distillers from all States and learn about their gin as you sample their product – which will be matched to a range of artisan tonic waters in a little ice. Bottle sales will be available. There will also be food demonstrations and food stalls providing a range of tasty treats for purchase, including the outstanding food warrior Brendan Pang with his street food - dishing up his Bao Buns. For more information go to www.ginpalooza.co

TOODYAY INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL (14 August) Support the water sports men and women from the banks of the Avon and Swan Rivers as competitors, both national and international, take on the 124km challenge of white water, tight turns and long flats. You will have the perfect view of the Avon Descent, while you enjoy the Toodyay International Food Festival at Stirling and Duidgee Parks, Toodyay. Lap up the live entertainment and explore the stalls from 10am-4pm. Taste your way through the best regional and national products, and try out the great food, beer, wine and cider on show. Be entertained with a diverse range of performances inspired by cultures from around the globe. There will also be plenty of entertainment to keep the kids busy in this free fun-filled day for the whole family. For more information go to www.avondescent.com.au or www.toodyay.wa.gov.au WHISKY LIVE PERTH 2021 (20-21 August)

Featuring premium whiskys and spirits, this tasting event at the Pan Pacific Hotel Perth is one not to be missed. With masterclasses, food, plus whisky guide and glass included in the price, you will learn as you enjoy sampling what Western Australia has on offer. Bottles are available to purchase while you are there, so bring along some friends and enjoy a great day out. Please note this is an 18+ event only. For more information go to www.whiskylive.com.au

SEPTEMBER

ROBE RIVER RODEO (3-4 September)

After skipping last year due to the global pandemic, 2021 will be the 25th Robe River Rodeo. Held just outside the Pilbara town of Pannawonica, this event is the biggest event on the Pilbara Rodeo Calendar, attracting up to 3,000 competitors and spectators from all over the State, and is a festival for all ages to enjoy. There will be live music, plenty of food and drinks, and the usual rodeo events going on in the arena. Slap on an Akubra and some cowboy boots and get into the spirit of the rodeo. For more information go to www.roberiverrodeo.com

Hosted by the Chidlow Tavern, this event features an internationally sanctioned KCBS master series BBQ contest. After you grab yourself something to eat, head over to the markets which will feature handmade and bespoke items by some of Perth’s best creators. Enjoy kids’ entertainment, buskers and meet the BBQ teams. This event is family-friendly and free entry for spectators. For more information go to www.chidlowtavern.com.au

SHORE LEAVE FESTIVAL (24-27 September)

This four-day event in Geraldton celebrates the culture, food and adventure that makes the Midwest region unique. Experience a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience with the Abrolhos Long Table Lunch on the Abrolhos Islands. A central focus of the festival will be the Beach Price Markets at Fisherman’s Wharf, showcasing Geraldton’s seafood and regional produce. Visitors will experience a bustling seafood market with a diverse range of fresh seafood for sale, and live cooking demonstrations with celebrity chefs, all while enjoying a beer and some tasty seafood treats. For more information go to www.shoreleavefestival.com.au

IGA PERTH ROYAL SHOW (25 September-2 October)

The annual Perth Royal Show held at Claremont Showgrounds features cooking demonstrations from international and national chefs at the cooking pavilion, and classes in cake-decorating and cooking for kids. Be sure not to miss the land of smoothies, cheese toasties, a chocolate fountain, gelato, yoghurt and cheese at the Brownes Dairy pavilion. Follow the yellow brick road, see Sesame Street’s Elmo and Friends, as well as Peppa Pig and her brother George, or visit Kiddie Land. Check out the sand sculptures, the aerialists, the daily fireworks displays and all the other entertainment for all ages. There will be show bags, fairy floss and enough petting pens and baby animals to fill up on cute factor, not to mention the joy rides in Sideshow Alley that will give you a white knuckled rush. For more information go to www.perthroyalshow.com.au UNWINED (23-24 October)

This proudly Western Australian affair will be held at Market Square Park in Subiaco from 11am-6pm on Saturday and 11am-5pm on Sunday. More an exhibition than a market, you can discover new wineries and expand your wine horizon. During this celebration of our State’s fine fresh food and beautiful wine, take a chance to relax while enjoying the live music and the wonders of what Western Australia has to offer in food and drink. Cooking demonstrations will be held, along with wine tasting classes and wine appreciation seminars that will be held twice daily. For more information go to www.wineandfood.com.au

NOVEMBER

FREMANTLE BEERFEST (12-14 November)

One for the beer lovers with the largest collection of Western Australian producers all in one location at Esplanade Park, Fremantle. There will be craft beer, cider, wine and cocktails, not to mention master-classes, beer-food pairing and free tastings. With plenty of gourmet food options, roving performers and live-streamed sports there is something here for everyone. For more information go to www.beerfestivals.com.au

MARGARET RIVER GOURMET ESCAPE (17-21 November)

The ultimate in culinary adventures, this year will deliver a program showcasing the best of Margaret River and Western Australia through a lauded line up of wine and food personalities. Experience viticulture excellence in this beautiful coastal town with its own unique culture and setting. The festival spreads across the town from the beach to the wine estates, with the main event being at Leeuwin Estate. If you revel in beautiful beaches, lazy long table lunches and fine wine, this should be at the top of your to do list in 2021. For more information go to www.gourmetescape.com.au

GEORGE STREET FESTIVAL (5 December)

Enjoy East Fremantle’s favourite community celebration with an afternoon of artisan fare, food and market stalls. From 11am- 6pm you will find accessories, art, clothing, craft, gifts, gourmet food, health & wellbeing, homewares and jewelry for sale. Live music will be on the main stage and roving or busking on the street – and you can enjoy fun family activities such as an amazing animal zoo, face painting, a bouncy castle and giant games. It’s the perfect way to greet summer with a warm ‘hello’. For more information go to www.eastfremantle.wa.gov.au

MANJIMUP CHERRY HARMONY FESTIVAL (11 December)

With a wide range of activities, performances and displays to experience, visitors can enjoy local wine and food. Cooking demonstrations by well-known chefs from across the country will be held throughout the event. Concerts and street theatre add an extra element of fun for the whole family. One of the features is the ‘Tastes of the Southern Forests’ avenue where guests can watch cooking demonstrations and sample produce grown in the region and prepared by some of Western Australia’s best chefs. Enjoy a long table lunch under cherry trees laden with fruit. For more information go to www.cherryfestival.com.au

JANUARY

PERTH CUP ASCOT RACECOURSE (1 January) Find a fabulous hat, frock up, suit up and start the New Year with style and pizazz at the Perth Cup. The ultimate social event of the racing season, this 9-race program is set to get the blood pumping and the good times going. Whether it’s a gastronomical experience or a laidback snagger sanga, there is something for everyone. Spectators can enjoy the glamour by hanging out at a range of venues on the day. Keep an eye on the website for up to date information about the options that will be available. For more information go to www.perthcup.com.au

Farmers' Markets

A wonderful way to give back to the community, this is where you’ll find the freshest of the fresh. Support your local producers and stock up the pantry from your local farmers’ market.

Albany Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 8am-12 noon, Collie Street Bayswater Growers’ Market: Saturdays 8am-11:30am Busselton Community Garden Market: Second & fourth Saturday of each month, 8am-12 noon Busselton Foreshore Markets: First, third & fifth Saturday of each month, 7am-12 noon, Signal Park, Busselton Dunsborough Growers’ Market: Saturdays 7am-3pm Farmers’ Market on Manning: Saturdays 7:30am-12:30pm, Karawara Freshie Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 7:30am-11:30am, Claremont Growers’ Green Farmers’ Market: Every Sunday 8am-12pm, Beaconsfield Kalamunda Farmers’ Market: Sundays 8am-12 noon Kyilla Community Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 8am-11:30am, North Perth Manjimup Farmers’ Market: First & third Saturday of each month Margaret River Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 7:30am-11:30am Mt Claremont Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 7:30am-11:30am Palmyra Western Farmers’ Market: Sundays 8am-12 noon Perth City Farm Organic Growers’ Market: Saturdays 8am-12 noon, East Perth Poynter Farmers’ Market: Fortnightly Saturdays 9am-12noon, Duncraig SJ Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 8am-11am (Sep-Mar) & 9am-12pm (Apr-Aug), Mundijong Stirling Farmers’ Market: Sundays 7:30am-11:30am Subiaco Farmers’ Market: Saturdays 8am-12 noon Victoria Park Farmers’ Market: Sundays 8am-11am, East Victoria Park Wanneroo Markets: Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays 9am-5pm, food court and market bar open Thursdays 9am-5pm

For more information go to www.farmersmarkets.org.au