A new three year deal has been signed by the WA state government to sponsor Manjimup’s Truffle Kerfuffle Southern Forests Food Festival.
Premier and Tourism minister Colin Barnett said the three day event celebrated the region’s food and wine with a particular focus on the black truffle.
"Manjimup is the largest producer of black truffles in the southern hemisphere with more than 70 per cent of those produced in Australia coming from the Southern Forests region of WA," Mr Barnett said.
"Truffle Kerfuffle started in 2011 as a way of recognising the region's connection to this highly prized delicacy and has become a popular feature of the state's culinary events calendar.”
The event, now in its sixth year, will be sponsored until 2018 through Tourism WA's Regional Events Program, made possible by Royalties for Regions.
The Premier said about 400,000 people visited WA each year because of its food and wine.
Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said events such as Truffle Kerfuffle strengthened local tourism-related businesses and enhanced the vibrancy of regional communities.
"Tourism has a strong influence on regional development and I am pleased to see Royalties for Regions invest in the regional events program to bring significant social and economic benefits throughout regional WA," Mr Redman said.
The weekend long celebration of truffle season will feature a number of exciting activities including the chance to join hunters to search out prized truffles.
Guest will also visit the marketplace for a taste of the region and be entertained by demonstrations from a number of local and national culinary talents including Duncan Welgemoed, James Viles, Rebecca Sullivan and Paul Iskov.
The 2016 Truffle Kerfuffle runs from June 24 to 26 with tickets now available online at trufflekerfuffle.com.au.