Latest news with #Pair'dfestival
Sydney Morning Herald
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Margaret River pop-up that served Andy Hearnden ‘one of most interesting meals of his life' tours Australia
When I suggested Andy Hearnden check out Dahl Daddy's while he was in Margaret River for the inaugural Pair'd festival, I expected the popular chef would enjoy himself. (Then again, who wouldn't fall headfirst for a spirited curry canteen – operating out of the local skate park, no less – specialising in heavy-hitting Burmese flavours including, as its name suggests, a deeply nourishing dahl?) What I wasn't expecting, however, was how into Dahl Daddy's he would be – and that there would soon be a reunion. 'In November last year, I had one of the most interesting meals of my life,' said Hearnden on Instagram after he and fellow New Zealand-born chef Ben Shewry visited Dahl Daddy's and ate various dishes including lahpet thoke: a Burmese fermented tea leaf salad Hearnden hailed as 'absolutely delicious'. 'For the first time in ages, I tasted bold, beautiful flavours that I'd never had before,' says Hearnden. 'My mind was blown.' Sadly, leasing issues forced Dahl Daddy's owners Corey Rozario and Imogin Mitchell to close their popular community eatery in June: devastating news for Hearnden as well as anyone else with an appreciation for bold South Asian cooking. The silver lining to this especially gloomy cloud, though, is that losing their permanent home has allowed Rozario and Mitchell to hit the road and introduce the rest of Australia to Dahl Daddy's singular, free-spirited take on Burmese and South Asian cuisine. Until mid-October, Dahl Daddy's caravan of curry will wind its way around Australia and stop in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, the Sunshine Coast and Adelaide before ending the tour in Perth at Big Don's Smoked Meats. Throughout the tour, Rozario and Mitchell will set up shop in everything from a pizza-slinging record shop in Melbourne's inner-east (Sunday, August 16) to an Adelaide burger joint (Thursday, September 25). Each city's event will be unique, with formats ranging from set-menu dinners to takeaway nights. One of the tour's key moments takes place in Sydney on Sunday, August 31. A joint effort with the team behind Kyiv Social – a socially minded eatery affiliated with the Plate It Forward movement and winner of the innovation prize at the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide awards in 2023 – this event is a fundraiser for earthquake relief efforts in Burma as well as a reunion between team Dahl Daddy's and Hearnden. 'The morning after I posted my video cooking a Burmese-style prawn curry, I woke to news that a massive earthquake had hit the region [Burma],' says Hearnden. 'I couldn't shake the feeling that I had to do something. A week later, almost like serendipity, Corey called and asked if I wanted to be part of this new project. I said yes straight away. I can't wait to get in the kitchen with him, share this incredible food, and hopefully do some good along the way.'
West Australian
22-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
State Government secures international vineyards showcase awards for Pair'd Margaret River in November
An international awards showcase for the world's best vineyards will take place in Margaret River this year alongside the Pair'd festival. The State Government secured the World's 50 Best Vineyards 2025 awards to be held on November 19. The awards celebrate outstanding vineyards around the world which combine 'exceptional wine, food and visitor experiences' and would wrap in an official function, a Government spokesperson said. It was hoped 'an enormous international media platform for the South West' would result, replicating in part the overseas promotion the region secured through the past Gourmet Escape. The awards were part of the '50 Best' global brand. Last year's awards did not include any local vineyards, with just two Australian locations featured in the top 50. It was the first time they would be held in Australia. The top 2024 prize was taken out by Bogedas de los Herederos del Marques de Riscal in Rioja, Spain. Tourism Minister Reece Whitby described this week's news as 'a proud moment for WA'. '(It) reflects our growing global profile as a leader in premium tourism and hospitality offerings,' he said. 'The Margaret River region's international reputation for outstanding wine, food and natural beauty makes it the ideal setting for this prestigious global event. 'Hosting these awards is a strong vote of confidence in our tourism industry and highlights the beauty of our regional destinations.' Margaret River-Busselton Tourism Association chief executive Sharna Kearney applauded the move as 'a fantastic achievement'. She said the event spotlight would shine valuable attention on the region and the mix of food, wine and natural experiences already promoted through Pair'd. Margaret River Wine Association chief executive Amanda Whiteland said she was grateful for the Government and Tourism WA support. 'This is a major win for our local community,' she said. 'It will shine an international spotlight on our wine quality, stunning cellar doors, and unique wine tourism experiences while delivering a real boost to local businesses across hospitality, accommodation, transport and retail. 'With Pair'd Margaret River returning in the same week, we're set for a spectacular showcase of everything our region has to offer.' Pair'd itself would return in November as a four-day offering integrating gourmet wine and food with music, culminating in a street festival. The vineyards award winner would be determined by votes from more than 700 members of the 50 World's Best Vineyards Academy which the group described online as 'influential wine and travel experts and sommeliers, who submit their nominations based on their best vineyard experience during the voting period'. Tourism WA managing director Anneke Brown said her agency looked forward to welcoming those industry leaders and enthusiasts from around the world for the sake of showcasing the region.
