Western Australia’s ‘unique’ produce celebrated at home and in Singapore through annual Plating Up WA

Western Australian ‘hero dishes’ will feature on the menus of more than 60 venues throughout the State and in Singapore this winter as part of the State Government’s annual — and delicious — Plating Up WA campaign. For those with hungry eyes and stomachs, details of the restaurants and cafes serving up hero dishes across the South West, Mid West, Goldfields, Swan Valley and Perth have been showcased on a special website platingupwa.com.au/venues. Plating Up WA is an initiative of the State Government’s Buy West Eat Best program and runs during June, with fine dining to casual dishes featuring WA’s best winter ingredients — paired with local craft beer, wine or non-alcoholic beverages. Across WA, more than 40 restaurants, cafes and bars are taking part, with ingredients ranging from local potatoes and winter vegetables to Wagyu beef, organic beef shin tomahawk, lamb, seasonal seafood, truffles and hemp hearts. Each participating WA venue receives an ingredient register of Buy West Eat Best members, helping to connect local producers with venues and suppliers and bring attention to new ingredients and artisan producers. For the second year, the campaign has been extended internationally with Plating Up WA: Singapore Edition, supported by the Invest and Trade WA’s Singapore office. More than 20 venues will plate up WA’s finest ingredients for patrons in Singapore from June 23 to July 23. WA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis said the initiative had celebrated the best of the State’s “fresh, seasonal and diverse” ingredients and beverages since 2018 and aimed to support hospitality businesses during the quieter winter trading period. WA’s food and beverage manufacturing industry is worth more than $8 billion, with 1300 businesses across WA — making it the second-biggest sector after mining and resources. “Our local food, beverage and hospitality industries have faced significant challenges over the past few years, but continue to demonstrate fantastic resilience and innovation in finding new solutions,” she said. The warming winter dishes feature ingredients including Manjimup truffles, Rock Lobster, red emperor, sardines, artisan cheese, wagyu beef, assorted mushrooms, and frusta and vegetables. Food Industry Development manager Deborah Pett said the campaign aimed to boost the local economy and support jobs. “We know winter can be a tough time for food service and hospitality businesses, so once again we implore everyone to get out and try one of the amazing dishes on offer,” she said. Frasers Restaurant executive chef Chris Taylor has been involved with the Plating Up WA campaign since its inception. “I feel utilising WA produce is an obligation we have to our customers and also our staff,” he said. “It’s important where possible to be able to support local products, from seasonal lambs, ducks from Wagin, locally caught WA Rock Lobster, truffles and heirloom vegetables from Manjimup, Rottnest scallops, Abacus Seafood crabs from Shark Bay. “Just when we think we have kept up with all the options, you check the Buy West Eat Best website and every time there is a new supplier.” The campaign will be strongly promoted through social media channels with supporting collateral illustrating the diversity of Western Australian landscapes and dishes reflecting the range of ingredients that venues will be offering. WA Trade and Tourism Minister Roger Cook said the campaign provided huge opportunity for producers to “explore new market opportunities beyond their regions”. A special website — platingupwa.com.au/venues — features the 40-plus restaurants serving the dishes right across WA.