News
ORGANIC FOOD WORKSHOP
Professor David Hughes, leading UK professor on global food trends, along with John Zar from Born Organic in Perth, were recently in Albany to present a Workshop on Organic Foods.
The Workshop was well attended by passionate regional food producers and others with a keen interest in the food industry. The event was jointly sponsored by the Department of Food and Agriculture WA and the Great Southern Development Commission, and was coordinated by the Great Southern Region Marketing Association and Food Industry Australia.
Professor Hughes claims that we “can expect higher food prices and a more volatile food market in the future”. He claims that the food industry trends are linked historically with the oil market, such that “with high oil prices also comes high food prices”.
John Zar expanded this point when he described the current issues in the food industry as being those of “food miles and the carbon footprint”. He predicts that “within the next five years, every food outlet will have organic food included in it”.
This provided the basis for intense and engaging discussion from the participants who were also keen to explore the idea of organic certification requirements. These currently differ between the UK and Australia however it is most likely that the food trends will result in a tightening of these regulations here in Australia in the next few years.
GSRMA Coordinator, Elise van Gorp, described the workshop as having been “most stimulating and successful with participants being fully engaged throughout”.
Elise van Gorp
GSRMA Coordinator
4 August 2008
John Zar, Born Organic Perth, Elise van Gorp, GSRMA and Prof David Hughes |
Cassandra Stipanicev, the Shire of Cranbrook and Sophie Zalokar, Pemberton |
Amanda, Eden Gate Blueberries and Deborah, Debonnaire Olives |
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14 and 15 May 2008
Opportunity to Market Regional Produce in Perth
MEDIA RELEASE
OPPORTUNITY TO MARKET REGIONAL PRODUCE IN PERTH
Paul Graham from Market Strategy Ltd visited Albany for two days last week sponsored by the Department of Agriculture and Food and coordinated by the Great Southern Region Marketing Association.
Paul provided regional food producers with up-to-date information regarding Consumer Food trends, supply and distribution channels as well as the opportunity to market their produce in Perth IGA stores. Paul has been involved in a case study exercise involving Margaret River food producers being included in Canning Vale IGA. The project has been most successful to the point that expansion into other IGA stores in Perth is being pursued. A further expansion of the project is the opportunity for food producers from other regional areas to be included in the opportunity. This is a most exciting opportunity afforded to Great Southern producers. This meeting was the initial stage in the process of supporting the opportunity to fruition and was met with very positive support and interest by local producers.
Further information regarding developments with this project will be available through the GSRMA Coordinator, Elise van Gorp on 0412 041 625 or gsrma@westnet.com.au
Rhys Ravenhill chats with Paul Graham |
Mrs Augusta Saunders, Mr Steve Porritt (Manager, DAFWA), Mr Jim Saunders and Ms Kate McKenzie (GSDC) |
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Various Events in Taste Great Southern 2008
Master Class at Matilda’s Vineyard with Celebrity Chef, Anna Gare, Rix Jenkins and Matt Cybula |
Russell Blaikie and Anna Gare delight in Silas Masih’s Degustation Dinner at Forest Hill |
Ernie Dingo visits the Albany Farmers’ Market |
Enjoying the long table Lunch at West Cape Howe |
Great Southern Seafood at York Street Café |
Vincenzo Velletri, Slow Food Chef at Kojonup |
Andrew Wenzel prepares the winning dish at the One Wok Wonder, Porongurup Wine Festival |
Owen Cowdell, York Street Café |
Mouth watering local produce at West Cape Howe |
Guests enjoy the Inaugural Brekky on the Brig |
Brekky on the Brig prepared by Marcus Kennedy, Ristorante Leonardo’s Chef |
Jerry Fraser and Russell Blaikie at West Cape Howe Long Table Lunch |
Kojonup Slow Food Long Table Lunch |
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27 February 2008
Taste Great Southern 2008 Opening Event at Howard Park Winery, Denmark
Guests enjoy the wonderful selection of local food midst the excitement of the commencement of the festival
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13 January 2008
Minister launches Taste Great southern 2008 in Albany
Members of the Great Southern Region Marketing Association and distinguished guests celebrated the launching of Taste Great Southern 2008 on Sunday evening at UWA in Albany with the Minister for Agriculture and Food and the Great Southern, Hon Kim Chance.
Mr Chance took the opportunity to visit the region to experience the incredible diversity of “taste” sensations of the region’s food and wine produce. Local food and wine were showcased along with the talents of the local chefs who are participating in the Taste festival. The chefs’ created edible food sculptures using a range of local seafood and fresh produce resulting in an amazing display to whet the appetite for the coming festival.
Guests who enjoyed the abundance of local produce included Mr Peter Watson, Mr Milton Evans Mayor of Albany, Mr Bruce Manning, CEO of GSDC, Mr Rod Vervest, PIAF, Mr Chris Tate, EventsCorp, and Peter Butler and Suzanne Yewers from Fletcher International WA.
Mr Chance presented the Great Southern Region Marketing Association Acting Chair, Mr Mal Dickie, with a cheque for $11,000 towards continuing the marketing of the regions fine produce.
The Minister said “ A coordinated regional approach to marketing local produce provides better exposure for producers and makes more efficient use of available resources”.
Taste Great Southern 2008 will be held throughout the region from February 26th to March 9th. Guest chefs have been invited to participate in Master Classes, long table lunches at West Cape Howe, Broomehill, Kojonup, and Kendenup, and the Porongurup Wine Festival, to name only a few of the events that will feature.
Anna Gare, celebrity Lifestyle chef from “The Best in Australia”, has spent the last week based in the region preparing her menu for the Master Classes to be held in Denmark and the Porongurup, researching and sampling the produce available locally at the Albany Farmers Market and several wineries.
Other guest chefs who will be included in the Taste festival are Russell Blaikie of Must Wine Bar fame, Gerry Fraser, oyster shucker extraordinaire, Sophie Zalokar, chef/food writer/consultant and Jane Cornes, food writer.
The Taste festival will partner the Perth International Arts Festival this year for the first time with a jointly run event, “Culinary Conversations”, a book panel with three international cooking authors at Tanglehead Brewery. Many other exciting events are planned including a Black tie Breakfast on the Amity Brig, Degustation Dinners at Forest Hill and Leonardos, a Seafood extravaganza at York Street Café, and “A Day in the Orchard” at Silverstream with a class in fruit preserving. Local produce will feature both at the Albany Farmers Market and the ROSS Markets.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience the true magic of the regions’ produce married with the incredible talents of the guest and local chefs!!
Details of all events are included in the Taste brochure or on the website www.greatsoutherntaste.com. Enquiries can also be directed to GSRMA/Taste Coordinator,Elise van Gorp on 0412 041 625.
13th January 2008
Ms Shelley Coad, Chair of Taste Great Southern 2008 |
Hon Mr Kim Chance launches Taste in Albany |
Mr Peter Butler, Fletcher International, Major Sponsor |
Mr Chris Tate (EventsCorp), Ms Elise van Gorp (GSRMA/Taste Coordinator), Ms Diane Tate |
Anna Gare, Celebrity Chef
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28 November 2007
GREAT SOUTHERN WINES AND FOODS SHOWCASED
Food lovers and wine connoisseurs will delight in the incredible taste sensations being planned for the fourth Great Southern Taste program, scheduled for 23rd February – 9th March 2008.
In launching the Great Southern Taste 2008 program at the Parmelia Hilton today, Minister for the Great Southern, Hon Kim Chance MLC, said that the Great Southern region provided world class food and beverage products to customers across the globe.
Great Southern food and wines will be showcased at Great Southern Taste 2008 through events such as cooking master classes, degustation dinners, slow food long table lunches spread across the region, from Albany to Denmark, Mt Barker and the Porongurups.
The Minister said that the Great Southern Taste program had been a great success in previous years and people were keen to enjoy and learn more about the fresh foods and wines produced in the region.
Great Southern Taste is coordinated by the Great Southern Region Marketing Association which aims to foster the synergy of food, wine, agriculture and tourism in the Great Southern region as well as promoting and stimulating demand for its products at a State, national and international level.
In launching the program for Taste 2008, the Minister said that the event was guaranteed to provide a unique food and wine experience for any visitor or resident of the region.
“Local and metropolitan audiences are eagerly awaiting Taste 2008 and what the new program will deliver. In the past renowned chefs Charmaine Solomon, Maria Matto and Perth’s popular Russell Blaikie from Must Wine Bar had showcased the regions produce through their cooking expertise,” the Minister said.
“Taste 2008 will allow people to enjoy and learn about the taste sensations and fresh produce of the region as well as the diverse range of value-added products. Blueberries, asparagus, new season lamb, olives, oils and premium wines are just a sample of what will be tasted during the event.
“Visitors are drawn to the region due to its natural attractions, its pristine coastline and its clean and green status and the Taste 2008 is a showcase of the very best of the Great Southern.”
For further information about Taste 2008 contact the GSRMA/TASTE Coordinator, Elise van Gorp on gsrma@westnet.com.au or 0412 041 625
Media contact: Minister’s office 92136700
“Great Southern Wines and Foods Showcased”
Great Southern food prepared by Chef, Michael Schmidt and his team at the Globe Bar and Restaurant, Parmelia Hilton, Perth |
Mr Peter Butler, Fletcher International WA, Major Sponsor Taste 2008 |
Hon Mr Kim Chance, Minister for Agriculture and Food, Ms Shelley Coad, Chair Taste, Ms Ruth Harrison, CEO, Parmelia Hilton, Perth |
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24 November 2007
GREAT SOUTHERN NATURALLY HONOURED AT WEST AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
25 November 2007
Media Release
Great Southern Naturally Honoured at the West Australian of the Year Award
The Great Southern Region was honoured to have had the opportunity to showcase their food and wine at the ceremony at Government House Ballroom on the evening of the Saturday 24 November to mark the West Australian of the Year Awards.
This premier event hosted by the Australia Day Council and coordinated by the Great Southern Region Marketing Association with support from the Great Southern Wine Producers Association showered the 250 distinguished guests with the finest food and wines from the Great Southern Region.
The finalists in each of the four categories – Local Hero 2008, Young WA of the Year 2008, Senior WA of the Year 2008 and West Australian of the Year 2008 were acknowledged for their inspiring contributions to the community.
Mark Bin Baker, better known as “Mary G, the Black Queen of the Kimberley”, was awarded the honour of West Australian of the Year 2008 by His Excellency Dr Ken Michael, Governor of Western Australia. Geraldine Webster was awarded Local Hero 2008, Sister Patricia Rhattigan was awarded Senior WA of the Year 2008, and Simone McMahon was awarded Young WA of the Year 2008.
The state winners will become national finalists in the Australian of the Year Awards 2008, to be announced in Canberra on January 25th 2008.
This was a great opportunity for the Great Southern to assist with the celebration; we congratulate all entrants and winners.
For further information about GRSMA contact the GSRMA Coordinator, Elise van Gorp on gsrma@westnet.com.au or 0412 041 625
Guests at Government House Ballroom |
MR John Swarbrick, Ms Elise van Gorp (GSRMA Coordinator), Dr Ken Michael (Governor of WA), Ms Marina Valmadre (Principal, Oakridge Communication Group), Mr Kim Shanahan (PSM, Chairman, Australia Day Council of WA) |
Guests arrive at Government House |
GSRMA showcases Great Southern wines |
Finalists for the West Australian of the Year Awards
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Great Southern Tasting Team – Barry Coad, Joanne Bradbury, Mal Dickie, Merilyn Banks, Shelley Coad |
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MEDIA STATEMENT May 11, 2007
Board Announcement
Click here |
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Members Networking Function - Beach House at Bayside
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