Truffle Kerfuffle | Manjimup | Fonty's Pool
Truffle Kerfuffle is a weekend of indulgence that celebrates the pungent little nugget that is the black truffle! Located at the seriously picturesque Fonty’s Pool in Manjimup, foodies, farmers, growers, chefs, and creatives descend on this normally quiet town and brave the cold winter air looking for one thing - to find their own slice of truffle heaven.
Manjimup produces over 70% of Australia’s annual truffle harvest, and with a short 10 week season (which they're currently working to extend) this festival is the best way to get your truffle fix to see you through the year. With so many activities to choose from there is something for everyone! Go on a truffle hunt, stuff your face with tasty treats, and buy produce to take home in the marketplace.
Be inspired at one of the Chef’s Cabin sessions or the Truffle Tent, sample the region's wines at a Shed Session, or go all out at a special dining event featuring some of the biggest names in Australian cooking. This year saw a fantastic line-up featuring Jesse Blake - Petition Kitchen; Paul West - River Cottage; Amy Hamilton - Liberte; Ben Day - Aravina and Aaron Carr - Vasse Felix displaying their expertise in the kitchen and producing the best the region has to offer.
There’s also great live music, displays and kid friendly activities, particularly on the Sunday Family Day. What ever you decide to take part in you will leave feeling inspired, informed and inevitably full!
The festival aims to educate and excite EVERYBODY about truffles, not only in the fine dining approach we see on restaurant menus, but also with simple methods to use them at home to transform a meal into something special. Yes, they're quite "unique" in scent and can seem complicated to incorporate - but in reality they can be delicate, elegant and give interesting subtleties to both savory and sweet dishes.
We discovered so much about truffles (even buying some to take home) and absolutely loved being immersed in the passion for growing them, the land that enables it and all the incredible produce that comes out of the Southern Forests. Not to mention all the friendly faces we met over the weekend! We left the experience with complete admiration for the dedication given by the volunteers, partners, friends, committee members, the community and everyone who works tirelessly to make Truffle Kerfuffle happen. We can’t wait for the next one!
Truffle Kerfuffle Story by Rhianna Henfry
Photographed byElle - Dixon and Smith
Thankyou to Truffle Kerfuffle for a great event, we will be back next year!