WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE (What’s Happening

What's on your plate?

AUGUST

AVON DESCENT AND TOODYAY INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL (12-14 August) Support the water sportsmen and women from the banks of the Avon and Swan rivers as competitors, both national and international, take on the 124 kilometre challenge of white water, tight turns and long flats. If the excitement of the race is too much for you, head over to Stirling Park and experience the Toodyay International Food Festival, lap up the live entertainment and explore the stalls between 10am and 4pm. Taste your way through the best regional and national products, try out the great food, beer, wine and cider on show. Saturday 13th August is International Prosecco Day, so a perfect excuse to indulge in some bubbly. Combine all of the thrills and spills of the race with delicious international cuisine and a fantastic entertainment line-up and you have a FREE fun filled day for the whole family. For more information go to www.avondescent.com.au

FROTH TOWN BEER & BOOZE FESTIVAL (19-20 August) Returning for another year at the Claremont Show Grounds, spend two days perusing over 75 breweries, cideries, distilleries and wineries. Exclusive beers and cocktail bars, you will find exclusive release beers and much more. A range of food trucks will keep your appetite satiated while you enjoy entertainment ranging from side-show rides, giant beer pong to a silent disco. There will even be kids entertainment on the Saturday. For more information go to www.froth.town PERTH GIN & FOOD FESTIVAL (26-28 August) Fifty visiting and local West Australian gin distillers will pour your G&Ts and share their stories. Purchase some gourmet goodies from any of the four food trucks to accompany your tasting experience. Your very own tasting glass, coffee and tote bags are all included. Distillers will be strutting their stuff and serving G&Ts for you throughout the sessions. Choose a drink, buy some tasty street food and move on to the next distiller as you pace yourself. Learn about their gin as you taste your way through the festival. Bottle sales available. For more information go to www.ginevents.com.au

SEPTEMBER

ROBE RIVER RODEO (2-3 September) An iconic Western Australian event dating back to 1995. This year will be the 26th 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 3000 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, so slap on an akubra hat and some cowboy boots and get into the spirit of the rodeo. For more information go to www.roberiverrodeo.com

PERTH ROYAL SHOW (24 September-1 October) The annual Perth Royal Show held at Claremont Showgrounds features cooking demonstrations from international and national chefs at the cooking pavilion, classes in cake-decorating or cooking for kids, or you can visit the land of smoothies, cheese toasties, a chocolate fountain, gelato, yoghurt and cheese at the Brownes Dairy pavilion. Follow the yellow brick road or visit Kiddie Land. Check out the sand sculptures, the aerialists, the daily fireworks display, farm animals 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 the cute factor. And don’t forget the joy rides in Sideshow Alley to give you a white knuckled rush. For more information go to www.perthroyalshow.com.au

OCTOBER

See September Dates above for PERTH ROYAL SHOW (24 September-1 October)

WA CHEESE WEEK (10-16 October) – See pages 44-47 for details For more information go to www.wacheese.com.au

UNWINED (22-23 October) This proudly WA affair will be held at Market Square Park in Subiaco from 11am to 6pm on Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday. More an exhibition than a market, you can discover WA wineries, breweries and distilleries that you normally wouldn’t have time to visit. 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 WA has to offer in the food and drink department. Cooking demonstrations will be held, along with wine tasting classes or wine appreciation seminars that will be held twice daily. For more information go to www.wineandfood.com.au

NOVEMBER

FREMANTLE BEER FESTIVAL (11-13 November) One for the beer lovers. Check out the largest collection of Western Australian producers all in one location at Esplanade Park, Fremantle. There will be craft beer, cider, wine and cocktails, Master-classes, beerfood pairing and free tastings, plenty of gourmet food options, roving performers and live-streamed sports. For more information go to www.beerfestivals.com.au

GEORGE STREET FESTIVAL (4 December) East Fremantle’s favourite community celebration, an afternoon of artisan fare, food and market stalls featuring accessories, art, clothing, craft, gifts, gourmet food, health and wellbeing, homewares and jewellery. There will also be music – both on the main stage and roving or busking on the street – and fun family activities such as an amazing animal zoo, face-painting, bouncy castle and giant games. The perfect way to greet Summer with a warm “hello”. For more information go to www.eastfremantle.wa.gov.au

MANJIMUP CHERRY HARMONY FESTIVAL (10 December) With a wide range of activities, performances and displays to experience, visitors can enjoy local wine and food, and there will be cooking demonstrations by well-known chefs from across the country 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 (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 programme 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. 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 farmer's market:

Albany Farmers Market – Saturdays 8am-12 noon, Collie Street, Albany

Kalamunda Farmers Market – Sundays 8am-12 noon, Kalamunda

Manjimup Farmers Market – Saturdays 8.30am-12.30pm, Southern Forests, Manjimup

Margaret River Farmers Market – Saturdays 7.30am -11.30am, Margaret River

Mt Claremont Farmers Market – Saturdays 7.30am-11.30am, Mt Claremont

Perth City Farm Organic Growers’ Market – Saturdays 8am -12noon, East Perth

Poynter Farmers Market – Fortnightly Saturdays 9am-12.00 noon, Duncraig

Stirling Farmers Market – Sundays 7:30am-11:30am, Stirling

Subi Farmers Market – Saturdays 8am-12 noon, Subiaco

Victoria Park Community Market – Sundays 8am -12 noon, East Victoria Park

Wanneroo Markets – Thursday to Saturday 9am-5pm, Wangara

To find the nearest market to you, go to www.farmersmarkets.org.au