The region is a three hour drive south of Perth and there are literally hundreds of gourmet food shops dotted throughout the area. Shelley spent the day sampling the region's local produce in search of dinner ingredients while Aristos made a visit to some local vineyards.
The Margaret River Cheese Company is a great place to start a gourmet shopping tour. Here you can choose from a wide range of cheese including Camembert and Club Cheddar.
For a real West Australian delicacy the Marron Farm is the perfect spot. The shellfish at the Marron Farm take four years to mature before they're ready to harvest. If you're after something to cook with the marron, the Cowaramup Country Store sells great fresh vegetables.
With over 60 wineries in the region it's tough enough deciding on a winery, let alone a wine. A good place to start is Palandri, just a few minutes from town. Their cabernet sauvignon is one of the most popular reds in the region.
The great thing about Margaret River's wineries is that they are all within a few kilometres of each other. Just down the road is the Amberley Estate Winery, where you can buy a very good semillon. If you tire of the wine The Wicked Ale Brewery in Yallingup offers something a bit different - chocolate or chilli beer.
When night falls, head to the Hidden Valley Forest Retreat. The Retreat features 170 acres of bush housing and two eco lodges that come complete with a self contained kitchen fit for a chef.
It's here at the retreat that Aristos fires up the frypan for his creation. He cooks garlic and parsley before placing the marron flesh side down in the pan, which allows the garlic flavour to be absorbed straight away. Next he covers the pan, gives it a shake and puts it aside while he cooks up some pasta. While the pasta's cooking, he gives the marron a quick turn and adds some tomato and a splash of white wine. Finally, Aristos tosses a salad of coral lettuce, sun dried tomatoes and macadamias with a dressing of pear wine vinegar, herb mustard and ricotta.
Not everyone staying at the Hidden Valley Forest Retreat will have Aristos as their chef, but guests can hire a personal chef to do the shopping and whip up a three course dinner in their lodge.
The facts:
Qantas flies to Perth daily. Prices start from $545 ex Sydney and $603 ex Brisbane. Prices include charges, levies and taxes.
Qantas
Tel: 13 13 13
Prices for the Eco Lodges at Hidden Valley Forest Retreat start from $295 per double per night, including breakfast provisions. A private chef is available from $85 per person per night for a three course gourmet meal, including food.
Hidden Valley Forest Retreat
Tel: 08 9755 1066
Cheese from the Margaret River Cheese Company costs about $5.50 for 250 grams.
Margaret River Cheese Company
Tel: 08 9755 7588 (Metricup) or 08 9755 5400 (Cowaramup)
Marron from the Marron Farm cost about $42 a kilo.
Margaret Marron Farm
Tel: 08 9757 6329
Chocolate and chilli beer is $3.50 a bottle.
Wicked Ale Brewery
Tel: 08 9755 2848
Western Australian Tourism
Tel: 1300 361 351
CLICK HERE to visit the Surprise Chef web site.
