News

At the 2008 Cryer Malt Perth Royal Beer Show, Tanglehead’s "Southern White Ale" received a gold medal in the Draught Wheat Beer class, narrowly missing out on the trophy for "Best Wheat Beer Draught". The bottle conditioned version, only available in the last six months, was awarded a silver medal.

Tanglehead also received a silver medal for its vintage barleywine "Old White Hart" and bronze medals for "Limeburner’s Stout" and its seasonal 2007 Christmas Ale.

Tanglehead Brewing Company is open 7 days a week from midday and is located at 72 Stirling Terrace, Albany. Click here to read about Menu Magazine's visit there.

Some news from TourismWA: An initiative of the Australian Hotels Association (WA), LiquID is a new industry ID and discount card created exclusively for hospitality employees.

LiquID recognises and certifies your Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) and Liquor Licensing training as well as providing you with access to a wide range of lifestyle discounts through West Club.

Visit Australian Hotels Association (WA) to find out more or to purchase your card online.

West Coast TAFE students got taste buds tingling at the City of Joondalup Festival recently cooking up a storm with Ready-Steady-Cook demonstrations, a Master Vs Apprentice competition and cocktail/mocktail making and tasting as part of the festival's new Cultural Café.

Ready-Steady-Cook demonstrations saw four members of the public selected at random to judge the 30-minute preparation of two a la carte meals and then deliberate on the look, smell and taste of both dishes.

Director of the West Coast Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, Patrick O'Brien (left) competed against his own apprentices in the 'Master Vs Apprentice' cook-off.  Despite the judges decision going the way of the apprentices, Patrick said the demonstrations and competitions provided second year apprentices with an excellent opportunity to show-case their culinary skills to the local community.

Join other wine connoisseurs at the annual Swan Valley Wine Show, in the lovely Swan Valley, just a short drive from Perth.

Showcasing the finest wines from the Swan Valley, Perth Hills, Peel and Gingin regions, the show gives wine lovers the opportunity to taste the best wines Perth has to offer.

Visit www.swanvalley.com.au for further details.

Eat delicious food for a good cause! Guests will embark on a culinary "Tour de France" - and all for a worthy cause - at Nedlands' Chez Pierre Restaurant in August.

A fitting lead-up to the HBF Activ City to Surf, Activ will host a Celebration Dinner on Monday, 25 August 2008. Champagne and canapés will be served on arrival, with guests arriving at 6.30 for 7.00pm. The evening's sumptuous four-course menu boasts dishes from Marseille, Brittany, Auvergne and Paris. And to complete the five-star dining experience specialist wine educator, Larry Jorgenson of Celestial Bay, Margaret River will guide guests through a selection of premium Western Australian wines.

Meanwhile, West Leederville's own resident mountaineer, Ray Sparvell (left) will take guests on a journey of a different type. Sparvell recently returned (in one piece … just!) from the inaugural Activ Dragonfly Challenge. He spent three weeks in the Himalayas trekking his way up to 6200m in some of the world’s most rugged terrain – all in a sole fundraising effort for Activ. Guests will join Sparvell as he accounts the highs and lows of his awe-inspiring trek.

All money raised will go to Activ Foundation, which provides accommodation, recreation, respite, employment and life skills (Alternatives to Employment) to 2,300 people with disability and their families.

Tickets for the Celebration Dinner are $125.00 per person (food, champagne and wine inclusive). Telephone Shae Slater at Activ on (08) 9387 0432 or email shae.slater@activ.asn.au

Visit Bindoon Hall in Chittering this weekend and see the beautiful stage display of massed wildflowers set amongst wildlife sculptures by Peter Graham.

While you're looking at the hundreds of flowers on display, taste some of the local wine from the numerous Chittering wineries.

If you want to get out and about, book a wildflower coach tour to see the flowers in their natural setting with experienced and knowledgeable guides.

Visit www.chittering.iinet.net.au/events.htm for more information. Advance bookings are essential for all tours - phone (08) 9576 1100.

At this year's Royal Show bring the family along to experience the excitement of Perth's favorite family outing!

The new IGA Fresh Food Pavilion will tempt the taste buds with locally grown fruit and vegetables as a well as the finest meats, olive oils and delicatessen goods.

The chef's kitchen will create beautiful food from the freshest ingredients and offer demonstrations and practical cooking solutions. For children, this pavilion will be a popular stop to fill their Follow the Yellow Brick healthy show bag full of fresh food and tasty treats before setting off on a walking trail of the farming pavilions.

Visit www.perthroyalshow.com.au for more information.

The Cambinata Yabbies Extravaganza is not just an event, but an experience to savour and delight.

The evening begins with a Mini Expo where visitors meet regional producers
and artists, and may sample their fares and make purchases. From here, guests move into the unique atmosphere of Cambinata’s shearing shed for a magnificent multiple course dinner, complete with fabulous regional gourmet foods and local wines. Entertainment includes pianist Cameron Evans on a grand piano.

For those who enjoy the outdoors, the Nenke family invites you to camp the night and enjoy farm fresh eggs and bacon for breakfast. You may tour the yabby facility, go for a farm walk, enjoy the wildflowers and visit other local attractions, including Dumbleyung Lake.

This is going to be an amazing weekend, with many wineries, restaurants and other interesting places holding all kinds of events over the two days in the beautiful Swan Valley, just minutes from Perth.

You'll need to go for both days to see everything!

Download the Spring in the Valley brochure by clicking here or head to www.swanvalley.com.au for more info.

This weekend why not get into the full spirit of Oktoberfest at Elmar's in the Valley?

This traditional German festival can be celebrated in style with hearty meals, German delicacies, lively music, boutique beers and fine wine at Elmar's restaurant and beer garden.

Bring the whole family to celebrate and enjoy a dining experience you won't forget! Visit www.elmars.com.au to make a booking.

Enjoy the bustle of energy and vibrancy that bursts into the venues and streets across Fremantle during this celebration of the area's unique, stimulating and colourful culture.

Held each year, the festival celebrates the things that contribute to making Fremantle such a unique place to live, work and play.

Check out www.fremantlefestivals.com for more information.

Visit Manjimup this weekend to celebrate the start of the cherry season.

Come and be entertained by local singers, dancers and performers including a variety of local bands for the whole family to enjoy.

During the festival there will also be wood chopping, wine tasting, food stalls and of course the finals of the cherry pit spitting competition.

Head to www.cherryfestival.com.au for a full schedule of events.