7 famous chefs on why they ‘heart’ Gourmet Escape

One of the major things that makes the annual Margaret River Gourmet Escape presented by Audi (20-22 November) so unique is the fact that the chefs themselves love the event so much. They seem to look forward to it as a (very well-deserved) break from their day jobs, and who could blame them; they’re in one of the most beautiful regions in the world, cooking with fantastic produce and mingling with other world class chefs. We love reading what the chefs who have previously attended the event have to say about it, so we’ve gathered some of the best quotes below.

The line-up for 2015 features for the first time the enfant terrible of modern cooking, Marco Pierre White, as well as six of the world’s 50 best chefs including Ashley Palmer-Watts, Gaggan Anand, Vladimir Mukhin, David Thompson, Jorge Vallejo and Rodolfo Guzman. If you’re looking to buy tickets you’re in for a treat, as Gourmet Escape has just this week released new tickets for some of the most sought after events – some of which sold out within 48 hours on first release! Find out more here.

George Calombaris, Chef & Restaurateur – The Press Club, Australia

“Margaret River Gourmet Escape is the real foodies’ dream, so to speak. It’s not just about one event, it’s one of the most beautiful locations in the world, with some of the best produce in the world, with some of the best chef’s in the world.”

“The food, the climate, the smell in the air, the native ingredients, the native heroes – combine all those together and what you get is something really magnificent.”

Heston Blumenthal, Chef & Restaurateur – The Fat Duck & Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, UK

“The atmosphere, and the spirit, it’s just fantastic. I’m going to have a really hard time going back home trying to explain to my guys that I’ve been working. See, life doesn’t get much better than this.”

“Honestly, I don’t think that there is any other food event on this planet like this!”

“To have the crowd like this, genuinely, genuinely food mad, and then have the group of chefs, foragers, producers, sellers, growers, winemakers, to have all of that in this setting, it brings a lump to your throat.”

Rick Stein, Chef & Restaurateur – Rick Stein Restaurants, England and Bannisters, Australia

“Well I think as far as the produce goes, everything is so pristine, you just drive through the country side and you just think, this has gotta be the best produce anywhere because it is so beautiful.”

Shane Osborn, Chef & Restaurateur – Arcane, Hong Kong

“Margaret River is an incredibly beautiful part of the world. World-class vineyards such as Leeuwin Estate, Vasse Felix and Voyager Estate, in addition to pristine beaches, amazing underground caves, and beautiful ancient karri forests… if you love good food and wine and beautiful beaches in an incredibility beautiful setting, make sure to pencil in the Margaret River Gourmet Escape into your calendar for next November. You won’t be disappointed!”

Matt Moran, Chef & Restaurateur – ARIA and Chiswick, Australia

“If you are going to cook anywhere in the world you are going to cook on Smiths Beach in Margaret River, look at this place, it is unbelievable.”

Jock Zonfrillo, Chef & Restaurateur, Orana and Street-ADL, Australia

“Coming to Margaret River Gourmet Escape, to be honest with you, has been fantastic. You’re going to see some of the best chefs during this event. What makes it different is you get to go to a winery, you get to go to the beach and do something, you come to the village, you can come down, see some of the vendors, the stalls, talk to some of the producers, the wine makers, Heston will walk past you, you can stop the guy, shake his hand. You don’t get to do that at any other event.”

Jacques Reymond, Chef and Restaurateur, Australia

“I would like to say that Gourmet Escape is one of the best events which exist in the country. I’m very emotional to be here because it’s a wonderful part of Australia. It’s so remote but once you get here you feel at home, and it’s wonderful.”