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West Australian
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Pair'd Margaret River Region 2025 program is a feast for the senses, fusing food, wine, music and culture
If Margaret River's legendary wines could sing, what would they sound like? It's a mystery multi-sensory artist and wine writer Dr Jo Burzynska will attempt to uncover in a world-first sonic experience presented as part of Pair'd Margaret River Region 2025. The second incarnation of what has been dubbed 'Australia's chicest wine and food festival' will return from November 20 to 23 with a menagerie of 30 unique activations that weave together culture and gastronomy. A highlight from the newly-released program is Tasting Notes: Sound of a Region, which will see Dr Burzynska create original soundscapes inspired by Margaret River and its iconic cabernet, chardonnay, sparkling and sauvignon semillon. This immersive symphony for the senses will set the tone for Pair'd flagship events Nature's Table, New Wave Gathering and The Grand Tasting and will offer guests an entirely unique perspective on the region by way of sound. The rest of the program is similarly exciting, indicating Pair'd 2025 is set to follow in the footsteps of its inaugural sold-out series last year. Acclaimed Argentine chef Francis Mallmann, often referred to as the 'godfather of fire', will make his first Australian appearance in more than a decade when he teams up with Dave Pynt of Singapore's Michelin-starred Burnt Ends, social media powerhouse Andy Hearnden ('Andy Cooks') and Perth cult BBQ crew Big Don's for an unmissable smoky showdown at Wills Domain. Hear an atmospheric fusion of opera and didgeridoo underground paired with native bushfood aperitivo at Ngilgi Reverie, then bask on the pristine shores of Meelup Beach while lapping up a surf-and-turf feast and live saxophone for the Pair'd Beach Club pop-up. New Wave Gathering will offer a future-forward spin on wine tasting with next gen makers, low-fi DJ beats and expert masterclasses, while the enchanting Nature's Table invites diners to settle beneath the karri trees of Tanah Marah for a four-hour culinary odyssey. The list of global talent featured throughout the festival is extensive, ranging from internationally-renowned chefs such as Julien Royer, Rishi Naleendra and Nathan Outlaw to surfing champ Layne Beachley, INXS rocker Kirk Pengilly and Aussie restaurateur Matt Moran. They join an array of local legends and cultural custodians, backed by the greatest hero of all — Margaret River and her natural beauty. Pair'd festival director Hannah Pike says the showcase amplifies the connection between people, producers, landscapes and cultures. 'We're incredibly proud to present a program that is not just a festival, it's a region-wide sensory experience that celebrates what makes this part of the world so incredibly special,' Pike says. 'After the inaugural event wrapped last November, our team got to work to secure an incredible line-up of international powerhouses who'll work alongside our celebrated WA chefs, winemakers and cultural custodians, delivering a program that is designed to spark exchange, creativity and inspiration.' Just days before Pair'd kicks off, Margaret River also has the honour of being the first Australian host of the World's 50 Best Vineyards awards, which will only further add to the buzz. + The full Pair'd Margaret River Region 2025 program is now live via + Tickets are on sale now, with guests encouraged to book early as many experiences are expected to sell out.
Time Out
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Pair'd Margaret River festival returns in 2025 with Michelin-starred talent and world-class wine
Opera in ancient caves, fire feasts beneath the stars and exclusive dinners by Michelin-starred chefs – that's just a taste of the 30 one-of-a-kind experiences on offer at Pair'd Margaret River in 2025. After a mega-successful debut last spring, Australia's chicest food and wine festival returns from November 20 to 23 with world-class wine and talent – including the 'Godfather of Fire' Francis Mallmann (of Chef's Table fame), who will make his first appearance Down Under in more than a decade. In a first for any Australian wine region, Pair'd will take place immediately after the prestigious World's 50 Best Vineyards awards – with Margaret River becoming the first destination in the country to host the global ceremony. The festival's 2025 program is overflowing with incredible wine-focused events, stretching from the sea to the forest, the vines and even an underground cave. Here's just a taste of what's pouring this year. Renowned for his mastery of open-fire cooking, Argentine chef Francis Mallmann will headline Pair'd 2025 in a one-off Burnt Ends and Friends dinner alongside some of the world's top grill chefs. Joining him at the flames are Dave Pynt of Singapore's Michelin-starred Burnt Ends, viral cooking sensation Andy Hearnden (@andycooks), and the cult barbecue legends from Perth's Big Don's – all dishing up smoky perfection, perfectly paired with Wills Domain wines. More of the world's most celebrated Michelin-starred chefs and sommeliers will unite for the Pair'd Wine Dinner Series, including a bold tribute to the sea by Josh Niland (Saint Peter), Nathan Outlaw (Outlaw's) and Travis Crane (Voyager Estate), and an intimate collaboration between De'sendent's Evan Hayter and Rishi Naleendra of Singapore's two-Michelin-starred Cloudstreet. For more fun among the vines, festivalgoers can sip their way through The Grand Tasting – an exclusive garden party at Howard Park Wines with unlimited wine tastings, or raise a glass to the next gen of winemakers at The New Wave Gathering, featuring immersive tastings, cutting-edge music and the region's best street eats. After a successful launch in 2024, the Pair'd Beach Club is back, taking over the sparkling shores of Meelup Beach for a luxe surf-and-turf feast by Michelin-starred chef Nathan Outlaw and local legend Aaron Carr (Yarri Restaurant and Bar). Sip specialty wines with your toes in the sand as live sax and DJ beats bring the beach to life. Also returning for 2025 is Tasting Notes: Sound of a Region – a world-first sonic wine experience created by global sensory artist Dr Jo Burzynska that you can enjoy at Nature's Table – a sensory four-course long lunch set beneath the towering karri trees of Tanah Marah. Just last month, Qantas launched a new direct route between Perth and Busselton, making it easier than ever to explore the world-class Margaret River wine region. Jetstar already flies direct from both Melbourne and Sydney to Busselton-Margaret River, or you can opt for a scenic three-hour drive from Perth. Tickets for Pair'd Margaret River go live on July 16 – and you can explore the full festival program here. 🧀
Perth Now
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
UFC champion pays visit to famous Perth BBQ joint
Current UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena has lent a hand to one of the hottest venues in Perth. The Perth born fighter popped in to Big Don's Smoked Meats on Friday to help the eatery before their anticipated service day — helping out with a slab of wagyu brisket Ranked ninth on the UFC men's pound-for-pound list, the reigning champ has been spending some time back in his home city since winning the title over Belal Muhammad in UFC 315 in Canada. On their social media, Big Don's revealed that Della Maddalena has been a long time fan of the establishment, showing that he waited in the long line back in 2020. The popular BBQ restaurant is known for its unique ordering style and only being open one day a week. Customers must place their order for a rotating tray on Tuesday — which sells out in minutes — and can collect it on Saturday, with a huge line typically forming outside the Bayswater joint. The menu changes every week with a BBQ meat pack that ranges with brisket, sausages, pork, ribs and more with additional add-on's available to order. The UFC champ paid a visit to the hottest BBQ restaurant in Perth. Credit: Instagram Jack Della Maddalena at Big Don's in 2020. Credit: Instagram Youtube chef Andy Cooks and Big Don's owner Donovan MacDonald. Credit: Facebook / Big Don's Smoked Meats The restaurant has hosted a number of named icons recently, with Chef and Youtuber Andy Cooks stopping by for a service day and filmed a video — calling the Perth joint 'The World's Best BBQ'. It's not the first time the BBQ joint has made headlines this week following the owners — Donovan MacDonald — outspoken battle with the Bayswater council.
Sydney Morning Herald
06-06-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Big Don fires up Bayswater council tilt after loo frustrations boil over
The founder of a renowned barbecue outlet and one of the state's most acclaimed restaurateurs will run for Bayswater council after another planning clash with the city over temporary toilets. Donovan MacDonald took to Instagram this week to declare his intention to run as a councillor in the West ward where he lives and where his popular restaurant Big Don's Smoked Meats – the first WA restaurant to receive a Good Food hat – is located. MacDonald said he considered running at the last election ago after butting heads with the council, but things had been good over the past two years. However, the latest dispute over temporary toilets – which MacDonald said came out of the blue and impacted the security of his business – spurred him to take the plunge. 'In the last two years, we've been pretty good. There haven't been any dramas, and I was too busy previously to be able to consider this,' he said. 'Now, my business is running pretty well. My team is phenomenal, and so I think I probably have the ability to actually do this.' The latest issue relates to temporary toilets installed in the unit next door, which is also used by Big Don's as space for waiting customers. The city said the toilets were installed without a building permit, and now MacDonald must get an occupancy permit for that unit space to resolve the toilet issue.
The Age
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Age
Big Don fires up Bayswater council tilt after loo frustrations boil over
The founder of a renowned barbecue outlet and one of the state's most acclaimed restaurateurs will run for Bayswater council after another planning clash with the city over temporary toilets. Donovan MacDonald took to Instagram this week to declare his intention to run as a councillor in the West ward where he lives and where his popular restaurant Big Don's Smoked Meats – the first WA restaurant to receive a Good Food hat – is located. MacDonald said he considered running at the last election ago after butting heads with the council, but things had been good over the past two years. However, the latest dispute over temporary toilets – which MacDonald said came out of the blue and impacted the security of his business – spurred him to take the plunge. 'In the last two years, we've been pretty good. There haven't been any dramas, and I was too busy previously to be able to consider this,' he said. 'Now, my business is running pretty well. My team is phenomenal, and so I think I probably have the ability to actually do this.' The latest issue relates to temporary toilets installed in the unit next door, which is also used by Big Don's as space for waiting customers. The city said the toilets were installed without a building permit, and now MacDonald must get an occupancy permit for that unit space to resolve the toilet issue.
