Media Release: Celebrate the State with plates of winter’s finest ingredients this June
Get set for 30 days of dining on WA’s best ingredients at over 30 venues with the fourth Plating Up WA campaign kicking off on June 1. From the Mid-west to the Southwest, Southern Forests, Perth, Peel, Swan Valley and Goldfields Esperance, there are incredible dishes on offer thanks to the campaign initiated by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Buy West Eat Best program.
For the month of June, the campaign supports WA’s food, beverage, foodservice and hospitality industries as they continue to face significant challenges, yet strive to thrive in spite of the global pandemic.
The significant economic and social contribution that our WA food and beverage industry makes across the State will be celebrated through amazing dishes loaded with local ingredients. From casual to fine dining, food trucks to wineries, Banh Mi to grazing boards, you can easily find mouth-watering options and price points to suit all tastes.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, WA’s foodservice and hospitality industry employed 80,930 people on average across 7,757 businesses (2018-19). The sector has been significantly impacted over the past 22 months, particularly those with a close alignment and integration with the tourism sector, such as destination dining venues across WA.
Deborah Pett, Manager Food Industry Development states, “This campaign ignites conversations between producers, their staff and consumers, and encourages chefs to highlight the source of ingredients within their menus to promote the ‘buy local’ message, while drawing attention to the spectacular range of seasonal ingredients available at this time of year. It is so important to acknowledge the significant contribution that the local food, beverage and food service and hospitality industries make to the State’s economy. It is so important to acknowledge the significant contribution that the local food, beverage and foodservice and hospitality industries make to the state’s economy, with the Plating Up WA campaign enabling many venues that support the philosophy of the Buy West Eat Best program to highlight their passion for local. All suppliers and venues need the support of their customer base now more than ever.”
Participating for the first time in the campaign, Stephen Peaple, Owner Jaspers Bar, Pemberton said “Local for Jaspers means fresh and seasonal, but it is more than that. Local allows you to delight in the decades of work that your community has invested into their produce, with techniques honed specific to the region and therefore offering unique flavours or textures. Local ensures suppliers are part of the story that Jaspers’ plate up and pour each night, while for guests it presents an authentic dining experience they can’t enjoy elsewhere.”
Plating Up WA rallies local patrons to book a table with participating venues that are showcasing a hero WA dish that best demonstrates the State’s great winter ingredients. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, the chefs creatively plate up in their support of our local producers.
“The food and beverage sector has the ability to generate significant flow-on effects and benefits when compared to other sectors, for example through food tourism and agri-tourism - these impacts are measured by increased income, employment and thriving communities that all contribute to WA’s recovery”, said Ms Pett.
Returning to the campaign for the second year following on from the devastating impact of cyclone Seroja, Melissa Finlay, Director of Finley’s Kalbarri commented “WA has the best produce and we are proud to showcase WA seafood to our customers, we really do have the best backyard. We know the seafood we are providing our customers is fresh and comes from the most pristine waters in the world.”
Emily Taylor Bar and Kitchen at The Warders Hotel has worked with Buy West Eat Best for some time and delighted to be part of the campaign. “The hospitality industry has certainly had its fair share of challenges over the past two years, which of course has also challenged the suppliers who put their heart and soul into providing the very best produce. The fact that Buy West Eat Best is bringing local producers and operators into the limelight, is timely, especially as we see tourism return to our state. We are thrilled to be part of this exciting campaign.” Said Tim Buckton, General Manager.
The campaign will be strongly promoted through social media channels with supporting collateral illustrating the diversity of Western Australian landscapes and dishes reflecting the range of ingredients that venues will be offering.
Foodies, family, businesses and communities are urged to get behind the campaign to strengthen the viability of the sector by booking their table via www.platingupwa.com
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For further information and to arrange interview opportunities:
Dixie Battersby
DP Publicity
dixie2266@internode.on.net
0413 382 201