What would bring George Calombaris (Masterchef Australia), Kiren Mainwaring (Co-op Dining), Singapore wine writer Ch’ng Poh Tiong, Anna Gare and the RSPCA together with an array of first class produce in the Swan Valley? I could understand some of the match ups but the RSPCA that left me pondering.
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| thanks to City of Swan |
Evidently they will all be involved in an event called Entwined in the Valley which some lucky people will be attending this Saturday.
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| thanks to City of Swan |
At the event guests will indulge in a seven course degustation dinner served on a long table amongst the vines of Houghton Winery. A major highlight on the menu is Calombaris’ duck dish, which he has been busy preparing for weeks.
‘I take these exercises very seriously and I wanted to make sure the dish is delicious as well as representing the region and matching with the wine,’ he said. With the Swan Valley being a big wine region, I got my sommeliers involved and picked their brains, found out the make-up of wine in the region. I’ve digested all that and we’ve got this cool little dish that will hopefully get people energised and pumped.’
He’s also excited to be working with Kiren Mainwairing.
‘Working alongside Kiren is going to be great. We both love food and we want to serve people to the best of our ability, so we already have something in common,’ said Calombaris.
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| thanks to City of Swan |
That’s as to be expected but still, the RSPCA?
The City of Swan Deputy Mayor, Mick Wainwright explained that the Swan Valley had been named Australia’s first Humane Food region. Humane Food? It was almost too much for my ponderous brain to handle.
‘This is the result of a partnership between the City, the RSPCA WA and a commitment from 30 of the region’s restaurants and cafes. With the introduction of the Humane Food program to the region, we will be helping consumers to know that we share their ethics. The Humane Food program is part of the Swan Valley’s efforts to provide an exceptional dining experience.’
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| thanks to City of Swan |
Kiren Mainwaring who used to run Dear Friendsand now Co-Op Dining (which has just been listed as a Gourmet Traveller top 100 restaurant in Australia) is well known for his passion of local organic and biodynamic produce. He sounded equally existed to be involved in the event.
‘I love my regular visits to small farms and foraging for wild produce which I then transform into degustation delights. The chance to be involved in the Humane Food region’s debut event is very exciting. This initiative is close to my heart – it is great for the welfare of the animals and one we should all be getting behind.’
Okay things were getting clearer, after all I’ve been known to forage, if you count the cinemas pick and mix lolly stand or a hotel kitchen bain-marie when travelling.
Then I learnt that…
Humane food is food that is animal welfare friendly. Their environment gives the animals the opportunity to behave naturally e.g. eggs from hens that are cage free. Layer hens, pigs and meat chickens are evidently the most intensively farmed species in Australia. And so I pondered …
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| thanks to City of Swan |
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Ah so that explains the RSPCA’s involvement, and here I was thinking that every dinner guest would receive a stray kitten in their goodie bag as they left.
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While possibly not as good as a free kitten, the night sounds brilliant and also signals the first Swan Valley event to cross my desk. Spring is on it’s way people … just a heads up to start ferretting through your wardrobe for a suitable spring frock.
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I’m certain that Humane Food contains less guilt, but does it also have less calories?
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Note: Not kittens were harmed in the writing of this post.
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Jokes aside, one things for sure, with these two chefs involved there will be some absolutely exquisite looking dishes.
Entwined in the Valley will be held on August 30 from 7pm to midnight in the Houghton Winery marquee, Swan Valley. Those who purchase a ticket to Entwined in the Valley will go in the draw to win a meet and greet with George Calombaris, and a cooking experience with Co-Op’s Kiren Mainwaring.
For more information go to
