One of the South West's most decadent weekends of delectable indulgence returns to Manjimup from June 25 to 27 with a bunch of new events to celebrate the Southern Forests very own black-gold - truffles.
Now in its 10th year, Truffle Kerfuffle attracts celebrated chefs from around Australia and has become a highlight on the tourism calendar and a bucket-list event for travellers and food-lovers.
This year festival goers can taste the incredible culinary talents of Guilluame Brahimi, Analiese Gregory, Aaron Carr, Tony Howell, Kenny McHardy, Brendon Pratt, Paul Iskov, David Coomer, Sue Lewis, Chris Howard, Melissa Palinkas and Sophie Budd along with sommelier Emma Farrelly.
The new events complement the activity at the Festival Village at Fonty's Pool that includes truffle-themed cooking demonstrations, masterclasses, the undercover marketplace brimming with local produce and artisans, kid's cooking classes, leisurely brunches, the already sold-out long table dinners, truffle talks, how-to workshops and much more in a program that's bursting with interesting and inspiring sessions.
A second four-course Fervor lunch at a secret location has been added to the program along with a truffle dinner with Melissa Palinkas and Deb Sillaots, a truffle sundowner and diner in Pemberton, masterclasses and a truffle farming open day.
The Festival Village is the heart and soul of Truffle Kerfuffle. It's family friendly, has lots of undercover areas, fire pits to huddle around, truffle dog demonstrations, activities, tastings, entertainment, free cooking demonstrations, live music plus there's a Festival Bar and Camp Fire Kitchen and more, many of which are included with entry. Festival Village weekend and Sunday-only tickets are still available. Festival goers can upgrade their experience by adding on one of the new masterclasses added to the program.
There are two fun and interactive Whisky Masterclasses presented by Limeburners where tasters will learn about history of Limeburners whisky and how their internationally acclaimed expressions are made. In this masterclass your palate will go exploring to identify the flavour profiles of whisky in four guided tastings.
Inspired by the magical combination of art and science in gin distilling, Giniversity is an education to look forward to. Giniversity is the flagship spirit of Margaret River Distilling Company and its tutors will lead two entertaining tasting masterclasses featuring four gins, first neat, then with tonic, before adding a complementary garnish as the final taste experience. By the end of the class, you'll have learned how to take your G&T's to the next level as a Giniversity Graduate.
In a new masterclass, New Perennial Movement with Kirsty Marchant, ex head gardener at two-Michelin-star and award-winning restaurant Noma, shares how she came to have her hands in the soil, introduce you to the world of perennials and why having your soil filled with plants all year round benefits you as well as the environment. As an added bonus, Kirsty will share how to make seaweed tea, its benefits and how to administer it.
There are a handful of tickets available for the recently announced Sunday Brunch at the Festival Village Restaurant featuring a four-course menu of delicious truffle dishes by chef Chris Howard, with sparkling wine and wine pairings, the perfect way to ease into a Sunday.
Howard likes to celebrate ingredients over extravagance and has forged a career based on honouring sustainable and ethically sourced produce prepared with care. From his early days at The Greenhouse under chef Matt Stone to stints at El Public, Cantina 663, Saffire Freycinet and The Town Mouse, Howard headed up the kitchens at Panama Social and North Bird Dining Room before opening his first venue, the Humble Onion in Perth this year.
Howard says Manjimup truffles are the best in the world.
"I love Manjimup truffles - to think that one of the world's biggest black truffle producers and, I believe, the best quality in the world, is from our own backyard, I feel super lucky to have access to such amazing produce and even more so to be involved with this year's Truffle Kerfuffle festival," says Howard.
There are also five new Satellite events added to the Truffle Kerfuffle program.
Due to popular demand, the famed foragers have added another intimate dining experience at the Fervor Lunch on Saturday 26 June, held at a secret Southern Forests location. What we can tell you is that chef Paul Iskov and his team will be true to their signature style featuring native and local foods that will definitely include plenty of fresh black truffle and matched wines.
Ever fancied becoming a truffle farmer? Stonebarn is holding a free Truffle Farming Open Day on Sunday 27 June where you can join Dion Rangé for an orchard tour and a discussion about how to establish a truffle orchard while observing the truffle dogs in action - be quick numbers are strictly limited and registration is required for this free event.
Saturday night has a new dinner in the program, a truffle-laden feast with generous amounts of luxurious earthly delights by Truffle Hill alongside the very best local seasonal produce prepared by award-winning chef, Melissa Palinkas and local food hero Deb Sillaots, who together present Tartufo di Madre Terra at Sma. Matched with wines by Picardy, Lillian and more from the region, this intimate dinner is expected to sell out quickly.
Friday afternoons are for unwinding - picture the sunset glow amongst the Pemberton forests, an organic wine in hand matched with tantalising truffle-infused tasters followed by a three-course truffle 'food journey' at a Pemberton winery, and finished with a tipple of local truffle liqueur. The intimate Truffle and Spice and All Things Nice tickets are strictly limited.
At Southern Forests Unearthed, enjoy a beyond-the-farmgate winter experience including an exclusive truffle hunt with Silverwood Truffles and their faithful hound on their picturesque property overlooking the Middlesex valley, followed by a unique wine tasting experience. Pemberley of Pemberton will warmly welcome you around the table to enjoy a vertical tasting of some of their very special vintages and award-winning wines, and all topped off with an exquisite grazing experience of local winter-warming Genuinely Southern Forests produce, from exquisite truffles to buttery kipflers and delicate marron.
For more information please visit trufflekerfuffle.com.au.
