Taste Great Southern - Feb to April

Taste Great Southern 2012, what a culinary sensation. February – April 2012.

Get ready to eat, drink and have fun!

Celebrating the Year of The Farmer and 40 years of cool climate Riesling in the Great Southern, the 2012 Taste Great Southern Festival is sure to excite.

Take in the delights of regional vineyard events, fresh produce, culinary conversations and a long list of other seductive opportunities during the two months of Taste Great
Southern 2012.

Taste events are occurring in Denmark, Albany, Mount Barker, Porongurup, Ongerup and Kendenup.

Bon Appetit

Special Guests

Russell Blaikie grew up in Margaret River on a farm where his passion for produce and provenance began. He worked in London with one of Europe’s greatest chefs, Anton Mosimann. He now co-owns the highly successful Must Winebar in Perth and Must Margaret River, is a regular on 720 ABC’s Drive program and has recently authored Must Eat, his first cook book. 

Herb Faust holds the title of the only winning contestant to date on Channel 7’s Iron Chef Australia. Herb’s career has seen him take on many roles, such as catering to some 150 boarders at Scotch College, to catering for Kerry Packer on his polo ranch in Ellerston. More recently Herb has launched his newest exciting venture, Herb Faust Food. 

Vince Garreffa is a gregarious and lovable butcher, businessman, chef and media personality. The “Prince of Flesh” began his career as a butcher in 1965 and opened his own store in 1979. A larger than life character, Vince still runs his own butcher shop as well as offering meat workshops and cooking classes. 

Verity James is a vivacious media personality and writer who was a broadcaster with the ABC for 25 years. During the last five years as a freelancer, Verity has owned and run a fresh produce business and currently works for ABC radio, tutors at Edith Cowan University in broadcasting and is a funeral celebrant!

Don Hancey is recognised as one of Western Australia’s most dynamic and innovative chefs for his simple, yet brilliant, ability of pairing regional produce and premium Australian wines. Don’s 30-year strong career has seen him in a vast selection of roles including management and catering for prestigious wineries such as Howard Park, West Cape Howe, Cape Mentelle, Voyager Estate and Cullen Wines. Don currently owns his own catering business, Pan-o-Rama Catering. 

Sophie Zalokar is an accomplished chef and food writer. Sophie grew up in the Barossa Valley in South Australia and trained as a chef with renowned cook, TV food presenter and food manufacturer Maggie Beer at the Pheasant Farm Restaurant. Sophie and her family now live in Pemberton and run their business ‘Foragers Field and Kitchen Cooking School’. A purpose built facility on a small farm, offering educational culinary tourism experiences. 

Vincenzo Velletri is passionate about cooking with fresh food, produced locally, as well as being passionate about eating it! Vincenzo has worked at some of the finest Italian restaurants in Perth and now has his own catering company called “IL Paiolo events catering”, specialising in wood fires oven cooking. Were pleased to welcome Vincenzo back to taste.

Porongurup Wine Festival - Long Weekend March

Don't miss the 2012 Porongurup Wine Festival.

See the Festival Brochure here.

Also being held on Festival weekend, Ravishing Rieslings and Museum Marvels at Jingalla Wines - Your Invitation is here