Margaret River, Western Australia, Like a Local

About 20 years ago, Tony Howell, also known as “Chef Tone,” helped a buddy with a cooking job in Western Australia’s Margaret River, about three hours from his hometown of Perth. It was meant to be a two-week gig, but he never left. Instead, he kept busy building an impressive, accolade-studded resume with long stints at some of the area’s best restaurants.

These days, though, he spends more time sharing his passion and only-from-Australia good vibes as a television presenter; a consulting chef for the area’s Cape Lodge restaurant; and a Tourism Australia ambassador of the

“Restaurant Australia” campaign. Fans can find him alongside an impressive slew of the world’s best chefs at Gourmet Escapes (held Nov. 15-18), the valley’s annual culinary event, where he serves as an ambassador. 

Where to for a quintessential Margaret River dinner — besides Cape Lodge, of course? For a casual and fun night, I recommend a food truck dinner by the ocean at Margaret River Main Break. The food trucks are on rotation each night, and offerings range from fish and chips to yakitori and Mexican cuisine. It’s a stunning spot to watch the surfers and kitesurfers as the sun goes down over the Indian Ocean — especially when accompanied by a glass of local chardonnay.

What makes Margaret River special to you as a chef? We are totally spoiled with the bounty of the ocean — such as daily fresh abalone and crayfish — and native dune ingredients including dune spinach, sea lettuce, saltbush and many more. From the land, we have amazing local products such as wagyu beef, veal, venison, pork, honey, dairy, fresh fruit and vegetables.

What tips do you have for a first-timer heading to Gourmet Escapes? Be prepared for a huge weekend. Make sure you stay for a few extra days after the festival so you can relax, reminisce about what you experienced and, of course, enjoy an amazing region.

The chefs who come to the event are so excited to be here, and it shows in their food and in their demeanor; they are always so approachable and generally stoked to be in this beautiful part of the world.

What stops would you include on a wine-tasting tour? I always say you must start with the big guns: Leeuwin Estate, Voyager Estate, Vasse Felix, Pierro and Cape Mentelle. Once those are ticked off the list, visit the smaller, lesser-known vineyards.

Alright, I’ve stuffed myself silly — where should I go to burn off some calories? If you’re into surfing or diving, you are in one of the best playgrounds in the world — just drive and discover. Mountain biking seems to be the next big thing here. The Cape to Cape Track (which can be done guided or self-led) takes in some of the most amazing scenic views of the ocean and cliffs you are ever likely to witness. And if you’re into something a little less strenuous, we have some awesome caves to discover.

The Details
Margaret River Region
www.margaretriver.com