Native Food to Star in 'Best Regional Event in Australia'

The magical Kimberley setting will star alongside native Kimberley food at the Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster.

Fervor Chef Paul Iskov joins the star-studded line up along with food critic and trained chef Rob Broadfield.

Iskov will prepare the delicious. Breakfast By Fervor on Friday 20 May, and the delicious. Degustation Dinner by Fervor on Sunday 22 May – both at a secret location set amongst the spectacular East Kimberley landscape.

The 33-year-old chef has a CV that reads like the who's-who of the culinary world. He has worked under renowned WA chef Hadleigh Troy at Restaurant Amuse in East Perth and has done stints at Tetsuya's, Quay, Becasse and Marque.

Further afield, Iskov has spent time in revered overseas kitchens at Coi in San Francisco, Eleven Madison Park in New York, Test Kitchen in Cape town, Pujol in Mexico City, with Alex Atala at D.O.M in San Paulo and under René Redzepi at Noma in Copenhagen, the latter ranked the Best Restaurant in the World in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014.

Iskov, a pioneer in the native food movement, is no stranger to the Kimberley having worked on the True North, but has only been to Kununurra once. He said he was eager to discover nature's food bowl in Western Australia's North West.

“I am looking forward to connecting with local Aboriginals to learn about native food and ingredients in the Kimberley and go on a wild harvest with them,” Iskov said. 

“It's so exciting that people are becoming more interested in native food – it makes perfect sense for our diet to consist of food that grows around us. 

“The other thing that not many people know about is how healthy native ingredients are – wild rosella, which is a native hibiscus, is really good for your heart and blood pressure. It has an amazing flavour, an intense tangy, quite acidic taste.” 

Iskov said that dinner guests could expect green tree ants, boab fruit, and wild rosella to appear on the plate. 

“I'm not going to say if we'll have witchetty grubs or not – you'll just have to wait and see,” the chef said.

Fervor is a roaming restaurant that visits small rural towns holding unique dinners in the bush, beach, salt lakes and other beautiful locations.

Iskov and Broadfield join a list of talent at the Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster including award-winning chef George Calombaris, musicians Bernard Fanning, San Cisco and Troy Cassar-Daley, and comedians from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow.

Broadfield is a well known Western Australian food identity and the event's ambassador. He will host the Kimberly Kitchen presented by the Kununurra Country Club Resort and the Durack Homestead Dinner, both featuring George Calombaris. 

Tickets for key events of the award-winning Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster, held 13 to 22 May 2016 are on sale now.

MasterChef Australia judge and decorated chef and restaurateur George Calombaris will be leading the event's culinary creations at the Kimberley Kitchen (presented by the Kununurra Country Club Resort) and Durack Homestead Dinner, two events that are expected to sell out quickly. 

Another event set to sell out quickly is the festival highlight, the Kimberley Moon Experience on Saturday 21 May. 

The extraordinary Kimberley Moon Experience concert will be staged under the stars on a full moon along the banks of the majestic Ord River at the Jim Hughes Amphitheatre featuring former Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning, six-time ARIA nominated Fremantle band San Cisco and country music singer-songwriter Troy Cassar-Daley. It's the Muster's biggest event and a huge party.

Picnic on the grounds and dance the night away with friends in General Admission or celebrate in style in the Kimberley Fine Diamonds Corporate Circle, which treats tickets holders to a black tie concert and dining experience.

Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Ord Valley, Lake Kununurra, spectacular fresh water gorges, national parks and stunning reserves, the Muster rewards visitors with magical and distinctive experiences. 

Travel packages including return flights ex Perth, three nights accommodation and tickets start from $1040*pp (*conditions apply. Please see www.ordvalleymuster.com.au/getting-there for more info).

The host town Kununurra is situated some 800 kilometres from Darwin and more than 3,000 kilometres from Perth. 

Awarded Australia's Best Regional Event at the 2015 Australian Event Awards as well as taking top honours in the 2015 WA Tourism Awards in the Regional Events category and entered into the Awards Hall of Fame, the Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster encompasses 30 varied and brilliant events over a festival of ten days.

The State Government is a proud supporter of the event through Tourism WA's Regional Events Program, made possible by Royalties for Regions, 

Tickets to the delicious. Breakfast by Fervor and delicious. Degustation Dinner by Fervor go on sale 9am, Monday 22 February through Ticketmaster. For more information visit www.ordvalleymuster.com.au.  

For more information and tickets, visit www.ordvalleymuster.com.au.  

Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster

• 13 – 22 May 2016
• Over 30 exciting events across 10 days
• Celebration of the East Kimberley showcasing local and national talent and Ord Valley produce 

Media contact:  Dianne Bortoletto, Pronto PR, dianne@prontopr.com.au, 0439 997 075 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

High Res photos available here

Fervor and Paul Islov: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/we5y4rqier4hoeq/AADgk_9voCvAeH0hX86Ix-C0a?dl=0 

Other event and landscape: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ow461r930fnvanb/AADSz5M4UD6C05YAiazPQHg_a?dl=0 

Activities and events that form part of the 16th edition of the Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster include: 

• Argyle Diamond Mine Tour
• Argyle Diamond Dig
• Art & Culture Tour
• Carlton Hill Station Tour
• delicious. Breakfast Breakfast by Fervor
• delicious. Degustation Dinner By Fervor
• Desert River Sea – Visual Arts Leadership Program Art Exhibition Opening
• Durack Homestead Dinner hosted by George Calombaris
• 2016 Flickerfest Film Tour
• Gibb River Challenge (700km mountain bike challenge)
• Graves in the Long Grass
• History of our Pioneers Cruise & Lunch with Lake Argyle Tours & Cruises
• Horizon Power Float Parade & Moon Fair
• Kimberley Kitchen hosted by George Calombaris (presented by Kununurra Country Club Resort) 
• Kimberley Moon Experience feat. Bernard Fanning, San Cisco & Troy Cassar-Daley
• Kimberley Fine Diamonds Corporate Circle (part of the Kimberley Moon Experience)
• Kununurra Markets
• Kununurra Ski Club – 35th Annual Dam to Dam
• Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow
• Muster Idol (local talent quest)
• Ord Valley Muster Rodeo
• Paint With Pete
• Parks for People – Unlocking Mirima
• Sponsors Cocktail Party
• Sunset in Paradise Cruise with Lake Argyle Tours & Cruises 
• St John Town vs Country Rugby League
• Waringarri Corroboree Under The Stars
• Wild Walks
• 75 Years of Ord Irrigation

delicious. BREAKFAST BY FERVOR 

• Brand new and exciting event to the Muster calendar
• Highly boutique and only breakfast event with a very intimate capacity – 40 pax
• Held at a secret location in the stunning East Kimberley landscape – guests will be transferred by boat
• 3 course breakfast using a combination of native, foraged and local ingredients
• Tickets on sale 9am Monday 22 February through Ticketmaster 

delicious. DEGUSTATION DINNER BY FERVOR

• Brand new and exciting event to the Muster calendar
• Highly boutique event with a very intimate capacity – 40 pax
• Held at a secret location in the stunning East Kimberley landscape – guests will be transferred by boat
• 12 course degustation dinner using a combination of native, foraged and local ingredients
• Tickets on sale 9am Monday 22 February through Ticketmaster 

Paul Iskov 

Paul Iskov established Fervor in Busselton with his sister Bree in March 2013, with the aim of providing a “culinary experience you can't get anywhere else”.

Paul started his cooking career in Albany and then moved to Perth to work at the award winning Restaurant Amuse, working his up to Sous Chef. Since then, Paul has built an impressive resume that includes stints in east coast restaurants such as Becasse, Tetsuya's, Marque and Quay. In 2012, Paul travelled around the world to work in some of the world's top restaurants including Coi in San Francisco, Eleven Madison Park in NY, Test Kitchen in Cape town, Pujol in Mexico City, D.O.M in San Paulo and Noma in Copenhagen. He has a great love and respect for the land and endeavours to portray this through his food, locations, dedication and passion. 

Fervor

Fervor harnesses fresh ingredients, with a focus on locally sourced produce, presenting it in a unique location to create an unforgettable degustation dining experience. Pop up diners are held at unique locations across WA, including salt lakes, beautiful bushland and pristine beaches. Crafted with passion and prepared before your eyes, they bring out the taste and excitement of the region with each dish served. An Australian experience unlike anything you can imagine. The field of Australian produce is ever expanding as Fervor visit different regions, move with the seasons, gain knowledge and understanding and incorporated it into the experience that reflects "Fervor". 

Fervor would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the traditional custodians of this land, of elders past and present, on which our events take place.

KIMBERLEY MOON EXPERIENCE 

• Highlight of the Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster
• Concert under the open skies and full moon featuring Bernard Fanning, San Cisco & Troy Cassar-Daley, on Saturday 21 May at Jim Hughes Amphitheatre
• Ticket holder are encouraged to pack a picnic
• Kimberley Fine Diamonds Corporate Circle is a separate ticketed area where the dress is black tie, and guests enjoy prime viewing of the stage, champagne & canapés, a sit down dinner, premium drinks and private dance floor

Bernard Fanning 

Bernard Fanning has had a career most musicians can only dream of. He has spent over two decades entertaining and delighting audiences across the world with his extraordinary voice and renowned songwriting. From fronting Powderfinger, to penning nine albums (including Powderfinger and solo releases), travelling the globe from his backyard of Brisbane on countless sell-out tours, to becoming one of Australia's most legendary musicians - winning a poolroom's worth of ARIA  and APRA Awards along the way. 

After spending the past European summer in Madrid, Bernard's well-earned break was interrupted by his oldest partner-in-crime: his acoustic guitar. Now, with a refreshed take on his distinctive and relentless songwriting, he is back in the studio in Australia recording his 3rd solo album. 

Bernard and his band will bring to life his acclaimed 'Tea & Sympathy' and 'Departures' albums, as well as debuting to Australia as yet unheard new tunes. 

San Cisco 

San Cisco's storm came in much like a front approaching the port in their hometown of Fremantle; swift and eerily beautiful. The foursome of Jordi, Scarlett, Nick and Josh have done multiple world tours, had multiple ARIA nominations (six to be exact), prestigious record deals, Hottest 100 Top 10's, Lollapalooza, Pukkelpop and a sold out North American tour. They unwittingly defined hipster culture with their “Awkward” video and then immediately subverted it as they covered Daft Punk's global hit “Get Lucky”; both of which have had millions of views on YouTube.

Troy Cassar-Daley

Multi award winning country artist Troy Cassar-Daley released his 9th solo studio album in March 2015. Troy Cassar-Daley has a reputation amongst his peers in the Australian music industry as being the most loved and respected singer/songwriter in country music. With a career that has spanned over 20 years, throughout this time Troy has been awarded numerous accolades including four ARIA Awards, 26 Golden Guitar Awards, two APRA Country Song of The Year Awards, nine Deadlys and four CMAA Entertainer of The Year Awards. Troy has sold in excess of half a million albums and has received gold and platinum records throughout his career. 

KIMBERLEY KITCHEN & DURACK HOMESTEAD DINNER HOSTED BY GEORGE CALOMBARIS 

• The Kimberley Kitchen presented by Kununurra Country Club Resort will be held at Celebrity Tree Park on the banks of Lake Kununurra on Wednesday, 18 May 2016 and feature a cooking demonstration with guests invited to sample the region's local produce cooked by George Calombaris.
• Durack Homestead Dinner hosted by award-winning renowned Australian chef and restaurateur George Calombaris at the historic property on Thursday, 19 May 2016.

George Calombaris 

At just 37 years old, George Calombaris is one of Australia's top chefs. His highly influential style of cuisine has earned him many accolades and much respect from culinary aficionados in Australia and around the globe. Inspired by his Greek and Cypriot mother and grandmother, George is known for reinventing Modern Greek cuisine. From winning apprentice of the year in 1999 to his restaurant The Press Club earning two chefs hats, there's not much in the culinary realm that George has not been awarded for. He has published six cookbooks, was a regular on television program Ready Steady Cook and is a founding judge on the hugely popular MasterChef Australia now in it's seventh season, and the program has been franchised across the world. George is a director a Made Establishment, a business that owns five well-regarded restaurants across Melbourne. 

Horizon Power Float Parade & Moon Fair

• Return of the float parade after more than 10 years due to community demand, parade ends at the Moon Fair.
• Moon Fair is a community fair held on Sunday, 14 May 2016
• Features food and music stages, rides, painting, roving entertainers, circus acts, market stalls and fun activities.
• 2016 also see the Horizon Power Float Parade and Moon Fair return to Messmate Way (the centre of town) 

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow 

• Held at the Hoochery Distillery, Australia's oldest continuous operating legal distillery, on Monday, 16 May 2016. 

Waringarri Corroboree

• Traditional Waringarri Corroboree will be held Waringarri Aboriginal Arts Centre on Thursday, 19 May 2016. Presented by Waringarri Aboriginal Arts
• The Corroboree is a spectacular celebration of indigenous food, music, dance and art – don't miss this special event 

Ticket prices

Kimberley Moon Experience

GA - 18 years & over (from 9am Friday 5 Feb) $109.60*

Family - 2 x adults & 2 children (4-17 yrs) $254.60*

Child - 4-17 years $42.60*

Kimberley Fine Diamonds Corporate Circle $469.60*

3yrs & under FREE 

Melbourne International Comedy ROADSHOW $59.60*

Kimberley Kitchen with George Calombaris $69.60*

Durack HOMESTEAD Dinner with George Calombaris $334.60* 

delicious. BREAKFAST BY FERVOR $125.60*

delicious. DEGUSTATION DINNER BY FERVOR $334.60*

Please Note:  Due to the popularity of the long table Durack Homestead Dinner – a ballot system has been put in place. This ballot is now closed.

*plus payment processing & transaction fees 

Travel packages

Travel packages start from just $1040* per person including return flights ex Perth, three nights accommodation, event tickets to the Kimberley Moon Experience. 

There are a range of travel packages and tours on offer. For full info visit www.ordvalleymuster.com.au/getting-there or speak to italktravel Kununurra on (08) 9168 1888 //  talktous@kununurra.italk.travel 

More event information is available at www.ordvalleymuster.com.au and via the Kununurra Visitors Centre on (08) 9168 1177.