EASY TRIPS
Slivers of black truffle
enhance the taste of
just about any dishLearn from top chefs
on how to make the
most of the truffleJoin the hunt for these
black nuggets in the
Southern ForestsPHOTOGRAPHS: TRUFFLE KERFUFFLE1
Truffle Kerfuffle Festival in Manjimup
MAKE IT HAPPEN
Truffle Kerfuffle will be held from
24 to 26 June this year. An Adult
Weekend Festival Pass costs US$15
per person. There are separate
charges for master classes and the
truffle hunt. Get tickets and other
exclusive deals, such as the Truffle
Hunters Breakfast, Harvest
Banquet and From the Earth Truffle
Degustation at trufflekerfuffle.
com.au.
Singapore Airlines and Malaysia
Airlines fly direct from Singapore
and Kuala Lumpur to Perth
Airport daily. From Perth, rent acar to make the 3½-hour journey
via Kwinana Freeway to
Manjimup. Hertz has car rentals
from US$50 per day.
Stay at Fonty’s Pool itself
where the event will be held.
The Chalets and Caravan Park
have various modes of
accommodation to suit any
budget and lifestyle. Camp out
next to the pool in rustic style or
live in luxury at the fully
equipped lodge that will fit a
family of nine (from US$25 per
night for a powered campsite;
fontyspool.com.au).Prized by Michelin star chefs and
amateur home cooks for its
robust earthy flavour, the truffle
will be celebrated at the sixth
annual Truffle Kerfuffle Southern
Forests Food Festival. The black
truffle is one of the most
expensive ingredients in the
world and 70% of premium black
truffles are produced in the small
town of Manjimup in the
Southern Forests, making it the
largest producer in the southern
hemisphere and a significant
place on the culinary map.
The weekend will be filled with
a variety of activities for everyone.
Catch truffle hunters searching for
these beguiling nuggets, truffle
dog demonstrations, local
markets and master classes with
celebrated chefs. This year’s
festival will also include Duncan
Welgemoed from Africola andPaul Iskov from Fervor opening up
the festival with a traditional
Australian barbecue at the Feast
and Fire opening night party. Get
your fill of truffles at the inaugural
Truffle Hunters Breakfast with
Jesse Blake of Petition Kitchen,
and at the Harvest Banquet Lunch
with Kenny McHardy of Manuka
Woodfired Kitchen, and Amy
Hamilton of Liberte. The highlight
of Truffle Kerfuffle would have to
be Chef’s Cabin, an intimate
cooking experience where experts
teach in an informal learning
environment with food, wine and
of course, truffles.
From Manjimup, continue the
gourmet journey with a quick trip
to the Margaret River region
located just a short hour-and-a-
half drive away. Hailed as one of
the top wine making regions in
Australia, this area boastswineries right next to Chef Hat
restaurants. Enjoy the art of the
very long lunch with visits to two
boutique wineries, a helicopter
flight, Leeuwin Art Gallery tour
and six-course lunch withmatching Art Series wine with
Flying Corkscrew Wine Tour’s
Ultimate Leeuwin Long Lunch
(US$765; margaretriver.com/
members/flying-corkscrew-
wine-tour).