Full platter for Taste Great Southern

Taste Great Southern is back from March 5 to 8, with a smorgasbord of a program whose table is very long indeed.

It covers Albany, Denmark, Mount Barker, Katanning, the Porongurups and much between.

Unsurprisingly, several events have already sold-out (we won’t mention those), with others selling fast.

Headline event Tides of Taste x Singlefile sees four top chefs gather on the lawns of Maitraya Private Retreat overlooking the ocean to cook up a storm: Jo Barrett (The Age Good Food Guide 2024 Chef of the Year), Evan Hayter of award-winning de’sendent (Margaret River) fame, Fervor’s Paul “Yoda” Iskov and Dahl Daddys’ Corey Rozario. Singlefile wines will flow freely.

Jo Barrett’s presence is especially noteworthy. A sustainable hunter and fisher, she’s the mastermind behind Australian Open supplier Wildpie, which ethically sources wild game and invasive species for artisan pies.

Chef Guy Turland — the Bondi Harvest guy — is another big name for this year. Turland is also an ultramarathon runner, so it’s no surprise he’s matching a high hike with haute cuisine. The Peak to Plate event comprises a 2.5 hour guided hike (difficultly level four) of Nancy Peak Circuit in the Porongurup Ranges and a Karribank gourmet lunch showing off local produce and Cherubino wines.

If you’re not keen on the walk, there are limited lunch-only tickets available.

Regular readers of these pages will be familiar with the name of Bali-based Will Meyrick (Mama San, Hujan Locale, Honey & Smoke, Billy Ho, Buzo). He joins forces with Perth’s Paul Bentley for Four Hands at The Dam. Four courses, local wines and cocktails.

Also joining forces (again) are Jo Barrett and Corey Rozario, this time with Jacob D’Vauz (Special Delivery/Magnolia) for Chefs on the Green at Denmark Riverside Bowls Club. Expect food bowls and barefoot bowling.

By contrast, Albany’s Amy Hamilton opens her private garden, where she’s joined by Melissa Palinkas (Young George) for a night of naked-flame cooking and local seafood.

As one might expect, the program also showcases local Menang Noongar culture. For example, Kaarl Waangkaninj Merenj — Fire Yarns and Food runs across every day of the festival, with Menang/Goreng man Lindsay Dean hosting storytelling and catch-and-cook experiences.

Given the region’s reputation for the fruit of the vine, it’s natural that wine lovers will be well catered for. Beyond the Vines with Cyndal Petty offers a Mount Barker and Porongurup subregions tour taking in six wineries including Plantagenet (where you’ll stop for lunch), Castle Rock Estate and Duke’s Vineyard.

There’s also Ocean Meets Vine, which takes you to the Albany Whaling Station for freshly shucked Leeuwin Coast Albany Rock Oysters and Great Southern Rieslings. Your host will be State Buildings director of wine, Emma Farrelly.

For those seeking a more relaxed vibe, the Denmark Wine Hop puts at your disposal a hop-on, hop-off bus on a loop linking Singlefile, The Lake House, Rockcliffe and Forest Hill. At each stop, you’ll be furnished with a wine tasting and food voucher.

Even more accessible is the Taste Market at Middleton Beach, where for a $40 entry fee (free for under 18s) you get access to a hub of 18 wine and beverage producers, chef pop-ups (Luke Foyle, Guy Turland and Shane Vermaak) and masterclasses from sommeliers Cyndal Petty and Emma Farrelly. Bargain!

Suitable for the whole family is an afternoon of local cheeses, chocolates, honey, woodwork and live music at the Boston Brewing Co Artisan Markets, while the more adventurous can start their day with Cold Nips x Taste Great Southern — a 7am yoga session and ocean swim (all proceeds go to Foodbank Albany).

Filling out the calendar are more experiences including The Golden Hour at Lights Beach Brewing, long-table lunches at Majuba Bistro and Pepper & Salt, and a whisky masterclass at Limeburners Albany.

+ Taste Great Southern is from March 5 to 8. The full program and tickets are at tastegreatsouthern.com.au.