The 2016 Perth Writers Festival is here! Now, usually this event would have only really floated your boat if you happened to be the proud owner of a piece of paper that says ‘Bachelor of Arts’. However, that has all changed this year, because there is a shiny new portion of the Writers Fest focused on something everybody can appreciate—FOOD. Oh, yes. Don’t pretend you’re not interested.
The world’s desire for all things food-related seems to have become insatiable, and the demand for cookbooks, food blogs and cooking programs is showing no signs of slowing down. Not to mention our new-found obsession with taking a photo of our lunch, putting some Valencia over it and whacking that bad boy on Instagram. Hashtag yummy.
So what have the clever cookies at Perth Writers Festival done? Well they’ve created line up of food authors and events, of course! From Paddock To Print will be a cultural feast of the best food writing, photography, tastings, conversations and workshops. Of course, there will be non-food related stuff to sink your teeth in to as well if that’s more your cup of tea.
Here are the most mouth-watering sessions you really shouldn’t miss.
It’s All Common Sense
Damon Gameau is the bloke behind the very confronting doco ‘That Sugar Film’. He has since released a book and has toured all over the place educating us ignorant folk on how much hidden sugar is everything, from our muesli bars to our BBQ sauce (seriously, who would have thought?) He is pairing up with Simon Bryant to talk about the common sense around food. We’re told daily to eat less sugar, eat less fat, go paleo, eat protein, drop carbs, don’t eat meat and so on, but do we need to analyse every mouthful or will moderation suffice? (P.S. We’re hoping moderation suffices. Because Nutella.)
Where: Octagon Theatre, UWA
When: 11.30am, 20 February
For more information click here
The Masterchef Effect
We’ve all become addicted to some form of cooking program, haven’t we? Don’t be embarrassed, this is a safe space. Whether it’s Masterchef, My Kitchen Rules, Iron Chef or Cupcake Wars (yes that is an actual program, and yes it is just as, if not more, addictive than cupcakes themselves) we have all been there. But what is it about TV cooking that has us all so captivated? Chefs Valli Little, Alice Zaslavsky and Paul West share their insights.
Where: Octagon Theatre, UWA
When: 4.00pm, 20 February
For more information click here
Eating With The Eyes
If you’re prone to the odd food pic on Instagram, then this is for you. Masters of food styling Michelle Crawford, Hetty McKinnon and Valli Little share their experiences of food presentation with Sarah Schladow. After you hear these tricks of the trade, that smoothie you had for breakfast will be on Insta’s popular page in no time.
Where: Octagon Theatre, UWA
When: 1.00pm, 20 February
For more information click here
The Sustainable Table
Indira Naidoo, Paul West and Chris Ferreira are three foodies with environmental concerns at the forefront of their endeavours, from kitchen gardens to hobby farms. They talk to Di Darmody about sustainable cooking and the grassroots revolution underway in Australian food production. A very cool sesh for those of you into both food and environmental issues.
Where: Dolphin Theatre, UWA
When: 11.30am, 20 February
For more information click here
Reckoning
The funny woman famous for portraying Sharon in Kath and Kim, Magda Szubanski is heading west to tell us all about her life. Expects laughs and good old-fashioned banter from this amazing lady.
Where: Octagon Theatre, UWA
When: 6.30pm, 20 February
For more information click here
Rosie Waterland
The woman behind those hilarious Bachie recaps the whole of Australia was addicted to has written a book. It’s called The Anti-Cool Girl, and its popularity means that Rosie is coming to Perth Writers Fest for three epic sessions.
Where: Octagon Theatre/Alexander Lecture Theatre, UWA
When: Various sessions, 19-20 February
For more information click here
Sketch The Rhyme
Sketch The Rhyme is an improvised game show of freestyle rapping, live illustration, and beats. Inspired by Mr Squiggle and Pictionary (like most awesome things are) Sketch The Rhyme will see MCs play off topics, phrases or stories being speed drawn by the artists, and projected live onto a large screen. Need I say more? No. This sounds like the most amazing Saturday night ever. Get us there, stat.
Where: Romeo Tent, Perth Writers Festival Precinct
When: 6.30pm, 20 February
For more information click here
Peter Doherty
It’s not every day you get to listen to a Nobel Prize winner and leader in medical research. Peter Doherty is an advocate for evidence-based reality on things like childhood vaccination and global hunger, and communicates them to the average punter like you and I through his broadly-explained books. Thought-provoking and inspirational, expect to leave feeing much more intelligent than you did when you walked in.
Where: Romeo Tent/Octagon Tent, UWA
When: Various sessions, 19-21 February
For more information click here
Through The Movie Reel
You’ve probably heard Marc Fennell's name bandied around before, due to him being 'That Movie Guy' on Triple J, an award-winning tech author, host of SBS’s show The Feedand an author (way to make us all feel like we’re seriously underachieving, Marc). His first book That Movie Book was a guide for people who want to watch films every weekend. We imagine his Writers Fest sesh will get four out of five choc-bombs.
Where: Dolphin Theatre, UWA
When: 2.30pm, 21 February
For more information click here
Click here for more things to do in Perth!
We have 5 prize packs to give away!
Want to win a double pass to Barefaced Stories on Friday 19 February and a cookbook from one of the From Paddock to Plate line-up?
Damon Gameau | Image credit: Perth Writers Festival