Winter brings with it a thought of hibernation but after the challenges of the last few months, our restricted opportunity to break bread with friends and family, it’s time to indulge and welcome in the season with a signature ingredient of our state’s south west: black truffle.

As editor of the inaugural Truffles Unearthed content series I’m conscious that a celebration of this beguiling natural product and of our vibrant (albeit bruised) restaurant scene is just what we need right now. Georgia Moore, director of the WA Good Food Guide saw an opportunity in this programme to stand shoulder to shoulder with growers, chefs and restaurateurs, while calling on WA’s food lovers to get amongst this packed three-week programme.

Our digital offering will tell you where to eat out, what chefs are planning for the season ahead and how you can buy fresh truffle. We’ll share recipes from WA’s best chefs and suggest the ideal seasonal accompaniments. Hitting the road to the south west we’ll meet growers and chefs as we explore Australian truffle country – Manjimup and Pemberton – and also Margaret River. Bringing you a special episode of our At Home video series with chef turned truffle grower David Coomer there’ll be an accompanying cookalong box. In the premiere of The Truffle Podcast I’ll delve into the truffle industry here and overseas while you can also stream a truffle inspired Spotify playlist from Amy Hamilton down in Albany.

But after months of hermit like living we know that you’ve got the appetite for more than digital appetisers. Kicking off our Perth dining series at QT Hotels, Santini Bar & Grill on 17th June, chef Charlie Vargas will welcome many of us back to dining out for the first time in months. Owner of Australian Truffle Traders, Gavin Booth will be on hand to dispel the many myths of the truffle world, while Simone Furlong of Margaret River stalwart, Leeuwin Estate will present their famed Art Series range. If ever there was an excuse to indulge and stay the night, this is it.

Also in Perth, David Coomer teams up with Canteen Pizza for a very special night of pizza and pinot while Le Rebelle’s Liam Atkinson and Scott Bridger of May Street Larder et al will be getting hands on with our very own cooking school hosted at European Concepts. And there’s more. Industry veteran Russell Blaikie shares decades of truffle love at a master class hosted at Must in Mount Lawley.

If like me your default setting is “you had me at Mary Street Bakery” mark Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st June in your diary. Pastry chef extraordinaire Courtney Gibb ups the ante with an Australian Truffle Traders collaboration. They’ll be offering a  limited edition truffle, mandarin, honey escargot. At just $7.50 it’s created using truffle infused crème patissiere, freeze dried mandarin and honey glaze. 

And finally (for now) on the events front if you really need an excuse our dining series journeys down south. The likes of Seth James of Wills Domain, Brendan Pratt at Vasse Felix, Mal Chow of Chow’s Table and Cape Lodge’s Tony Howell join the 2020 truffle squad, putting their own very individual spin on truffle season.

While the chefs are at the forefront we couldn’t pull off an epic truffle lineup like this without our partner growers: Australian Truffle Traders, Coomer Truffles and The Truffle & Wine Co. By participating in Truffles Unearthed events, viewing and listening to our diverse content you’re doing your bit for the WA food scene.

 

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