Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel welcomes back iconic celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, adding more exciting experiences to the already bursting 2020 festival program. The revered chef will headline Mangiare con Marco, or ‘Eat with Marco’, an Italian long lunch held at Coriole Vineyards, a Q&A and book signing session and a cooking demonstration, both to be held in Town Square.

Marco, who recently announced that Australian actor Russell Crowe will write, direct and star in a new film about Pierre White’s life, first visited South Australia during Tasting Australia 2017 and after headlining sold out events says he can’t wait to visit South Australia again.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to visit South Australia again as part of the Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel program,” says Marco Pierre White.

“It is a truly unique and special part of the world and Tasting Australia is a festival that should be on the bucket list of all food lovers. The produce available in South Australia is second to none and I can’t wait to create an exciting menu from it, with some old friends whilst making new ones.”

Marco will join Africola Owner and Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel guest programmer, Duncan Welgemoed for the Mangiare con Marco event alongside Gather at Coriole head chef Tom Tilbury. Together they will present a five-course feast inspired by Marco’s Italian heritage, utilising the autumn harvest from surrounding McLaren Vale farms on Saturday, April 4.  Laurent d’Harcourt, President of Pol Roger will join the chefs for lunch, adding more industry stars to the already jam-packed line-up.

“Marco Pierre White is one of my dearest friends and mentors, he is a huge inspiration to me and my work and I’m lucky enough to consider him family,” says Duncan Welgemoed.

“Marco and I thought it would be an excellent idea to cook Italian for our lunch together, a cuisine we eat above all else and one that we hold closest to our hearts. Unlike most of his events in his calendar, this will be more of an intimate affair where we will be cooking side by side with Tom from Gather at Coriole, showcasing the very best produce from our region and putting on a family feast for those lucky enough to attend.”

In the spirit of Australian mateship, Marco and Duncan have come together to offer an intimate dinner party for eight guests on Thursday April 2. As part of the Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel program, the dinner will be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with all proceeds donated to bushfire relief.

The highest bidder will indulge on a feast prepared by Duncan at Africola, paired perfectly with wines selected by wine connoisseur and journalist Tony Love, whilst the world’s original celebrity chef, Marco Pierre White, joins the group at the table, sharing stories from his colourful career. To bid on this dinner of a lifetime visit the Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel website.

Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel Creative Director, Simon Bryant expressed his excitement about having Marco Pierre White in South Australia for another festival collaboration.

“Marco is an iconic, internationally renowned chef and a true inspiration for chefs and food enthusiasts alike,” says Simon Bryant.

“We saw people’s admiration for Marco after his last visit to South Australia for Tasting Australia and his contribution to the 2020 festival is a great win. As in 2017, we are giving people the chance to understand Marco’s heritage and see him in a relaxed environment, creating dishes alongside some of our other festival stars at this year’s Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel.

“Duncan Welgemoed and Tom Tilbury at Gather by Coriole are clear choices to collaborate with Marco, their philosophies and unapologetic cooking styles align perfectly with each other.”

Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel have also introduced the inaugural Tasting Australia Airlines flight, flying 80 passengers direct from Brisbane to McLaren Vale in 2020, with the Mangiare con Marco event featuring as part of the package.

Premier of South Australia, Steven Marshall said the addition of Marco Pierre White to the festival is a cornerstone strategy for attracting more interstate visitation to South Australia.

“In 2019 we saw over 11,000 interstate and international visitors attend Tasting Australia and enjoy Adelaide and our regions,” says Mr. Marshall.

“South Australia is home to some of the country’s best wine regions, including McLaren Vale, and by introducing Tasting Australia Airlines direct from Brisbane to McLaren Vale we are able to further promote this special part of the state to our interstate counterparts.

“The Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel program celebrates great local and international talent, and the addition of Marco Pierre White further cements the credibility of this festival internationally.”

The Tasting Australia Airlines flight from Brisbane to McLaren Vale includes a return private, charter jet with Alliance Airlines, a champagne breakfast in the air, long lunch at Coriole Vineyards plus a tasting and tour at the breathtaking d’Arenberg Cube. Whilst visiting the d’Arenberg Cube guests will have the opportunity to view an exclusive $3million Salvador Dalí exhibition which features the ‘Triumphant Elephant’, a three-tonne, six-metre-tall masterpiece and one of the most coveted pieces in the Dalí collection.

For those wanting to get up close and personal with the esteemed chef, Marco Pierre White will host a Q&A session and book signing of his memoir cookbook White Heat, Marco Pierre White: Unplugged and Personal in Town Square on Tuesday March 31.

The following day, Wednesday 1 April, Marco will showcase his culinary skills with a cooking demonstration and tasting event, Marco Pierre White: In the Kitchen: Your Teacher, also held in Town Square. Tickets to both these events are limited.

Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel is one of the country’s premier food and wine festivals, presenting an extensive 10-day program from 27 March until 5 April 2020.

Tickets are on sale now from www.tastingaustralia.com.au.