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Destinations

Margaret River Gourmet Escape

The first-ever Margaret River Gourmet Escape drew a gaggle of the world's top chefs, rather a lot of winemakers and a few thousand lovers of good food, good drinks and good times to the wineries and beaches of the mighty Margaret River region of Western Australia. The GT team was there, glass in hand, sand betwixt toes, going drink for drink and snack for snack with some of the nation's most committed eaters.

The first-ever Margaret River Gourmet Escape drew a gaggle of the world’s top chefs, rather a lot of winemakers and a few thousand lovers of good food, good drinks and good times to the wineries and beaches of the mighty Margaret River region of Western Australia. The GT team was there, glass in hand, sand betwixt toes, going drink for drink and snack for snack with some of the nation’s most committed eaters.

Chefs Matt Wilkinson, of Pope Joan, and Dave Chang, of Momofuku, engage in a high-minded exchange of culinary ideas. Or swap neck-rubs.

Kicking back at the Icon Dinner: chefs Adam D’Sylva, Sat Bains and George Calombaris trade hair-styling tips.

British chef Sat Bains accepts a surfboard painted by Warandi man Josh Whiteland on behalf of Heston Blumenthal at the Icon Dinner.

Chefs Wakuda, Gilmore and Perry paying their respects to Heston Blumenthal, and to the members of Blumenthal’s Fat Duck team who were killed in an accident in Hong Kong the week of the event.

The GT Icon Dinner’s menu, featuring the talents of Tetsuya Wakuda, Neil Perry and Peter Gilmore. Our pick? Chef Gilmore’s Andalucia-themed citrus and almond dessert, hands-down.

Setting up for the glam GT Icon Dinner at Voyager Estate.

Greenhouse chef Matt Stone cooking on Smiths Beach with his ever-present camera crew entourage.

Chef Matt Moran, no holds-barred at the GT Chef’s Table.

London restaurant critic and GT columnist AA Gill tells it like it is at the GT Chef’s Table.

Paella, one of the weekend’s epic hits.

Gourmet Villagers, doing their thing.

The Gourmet Village at Leeuwin Estate.

The press conference at Cape Lodge: Cape Lodge chef Tony Howell, Momofuku’s Dave Chang, Noma chef Rene Redzepi, Quay’s Peter Gilmore and The Press Club’s George Calombaris.

The class of 2012 saying all kinds of cheese: from left, Justin North, Matt Wilkinson, Sat Bains, Alvin Leung, Adam D’Sylva, Peter Kuruvita, Rene Redzepi [in front of Alex Atala and Peter Gilmore], Kylie Kwong, Jock Zonfrillo, Tetsuya Wakuda, AA Gill, George Calombaris, Matt Moran, Andre Chiang, Tony Howell, Matt Stone [in front of David Chang].

Smiths Beach, the tepee-enhanced setting for the weekend’s launch and some of its best barbecues.

The Gourmet Traveller Team

Gourmet Traveller is Australia’s trusted authority on food, travel and luxury lifestyle, bringing the latest news and trends to life through quality journalism, enticing recipes and evocative photography. For more than 55 years, it has been inspiring and informing Australians with the best in cooking, dining, travelling and shopping. Our critics bring the expertise of years of critical eating, drinking and writing to the table. Plus, as the country’s leading title in the luxury sector, Gourmet Traveller works closely with Australia’s leaders in the travel and hospitality industries to give our readers exclusive access. The Gourmet Traveller legacy is one of trust, prestige and relevance.

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