Heat and honey: Slow Food at Feast Perth 2007

SLOW Food Perth supported nine Western Australian producers to participate in Feast Perth on the Swan River foreshore at East Perth on 18 March. Despite a very hot and humid day, an estimated 20,000 people attended what is now considered to be Western Australia’s artisan food fair.

North Perth nougat-maker Rochelle Adonis, away in London at the International Food & Wine Show, was represented by her husband Michael above left who shared Slow Food Perth’s marquee space with Romy Surtees above right from Elixir Raw Honey. Terra Madre 2006 participant and biodynamic farmer William Newton-Wordsworth, from Williams River Produce in the Great Southern, was helped by his daughter Tara and Slow Food Perth members Pauline Tresise and Freddie Kronborg. Other Terra Madre participants in Slow Food Perth’s marquee included Jane and Tom Wilde from Cambray Sheep’s Cheese at Nannup in the South West, Suzanne and Peter Little from Random Valley Organic Wines at Karridale, and Patricia Tew from Food Symphony at Bullsbrook. Merilyn Basell from Mount Barker Wine Vinegar offered tastings of her superb botrytis vinegar. Biodynamic wine from Gerry and Judy Gauntlett’s Gilead Estate at Neerabup, north of Perth, was also shown, together with Bunn Wine from Richard and Irene Bunn’s Redmond vineyard in the deep Great Southern. Maggie Edmonds from Gingin Heritage Estate offered fresh Gingin passionfruit for tasting, together with her sumptuous passionfruit membrillo.

The crowd at Feast Perth enjoyed tastings and heard panel discussions, hosted by journalist Verity James, ranging from regionalism in food to organic gardening.

More information
Slow Food Perth’s Feast Perth 2007 participating producers’ brochure