campaign supports local growers FEATURE
Dish plated up by Stephen Peaple at Jaspers Pemberton — Pemberton marron in garlic butter, burnt Pemberton finger lime, fresh leafs and Pemby avo. Paired with OMG Wildflower Honey Gin and Fever Tree Yuzu Lime Soda.
Dish made by Melissa Palinkas from Young George — Charred carrots, barley & block 275 mayonnaise.
Panel of speakers from the launch of Plating Up WA held on May 13th at Miss Mi restaurant in Perth CBD. Scott Bridger, Noelene Swain, Simon Moltoni, Georgia Moore and Lucas Fernandes.
Plating Up WA is an annual campaign that runs for 30 days showcasing dishes loaded with Western Australia’s best seasonal ingredients, available at locations all over the State, thanks to the campaign initiated by the WA Government’s Buy West Eat Best program.
Words www.buywesteatbest.com.au for Plating Up WA www.platingupwa.com Buy West Eat Best
NOW in its sixth year, Western Australia’s food, beverage, foodservice and hospitality industries flex their skills to plate up dishes that honour the amazing food and beverages that state has on offer.
This year the campaign included 48 venues, each putting up dishes that vary from casual to fine dining, bar snacks to wineries, pubs and taverns, and desirable desserts to gorgeous grazing boards. Diners found mouthwatering options to suit both their tastes and budgets.
The marketing and promotion of the campaign resulted in 40 unpaid media spots, and an increase of over 40% more traffic to the website www.platingupwa.com. Campaign messaging is estimated to have reached 2 million, ensuring visibility across the State.
Melissa Worthington, Program Manager Buy West Eat Best, “The Buy West Eat Best team were thrilled to be running Plating Up WA for the sixth year. Previous campaigns have provided a significant boost to local food service and hospitality during what has been a challenging time, supporting around 250 venues that have taken part to date.”
“Equally the campaign supports our local producers keen to introduce their ingredients to chefs; several dishes plated up this year were selected from the program’s ‘ingredient register’ or shopping list for inspiration and venue consideration,” said Melissa.
The campaign delivery was supported and shaped directly by the sector, led by this year’s chef liaison, Scott
Bridger, chef and co-owner of Bib and Tucker, “Being asked to be a chef representative for the Plating Up WA campaign was an honour, I greatly enjoyed being the conduit between industry and the campaign to bring the stunning West Australian produce to life for winter diners in 2024.”
“WA is home to some of the most passionate producers and restaurants in Australia. Our clean air, pristine oceans and luscious pastures mean we have amazing produce all year round. Buy West Eat Best continues to celebrate it all, its enthusiasm towards keeping our industries sustainable and giving recognition to producers and venues big or small gives me great pleasure to work with, and be a part of their team,” said Scott.