Ahhhhh, and what a view it is Taste Master fans.

I was privileged enough to see Broome for the first time by air on a short helicopter flight, but it was only when I landed that I fully appreciated the beauty of world-famous Cable Beach and felt a real sense of community in the town.

That evening I was invited to A Taste of Broome, a unique multi-arts performance and culinary event which celebrates the regions’ Indigenous culture and multicultural community. I was tagging along with my host Robyn, who’d been travelling with us up the red earth-stained road to Cape Leveque and back. I have to say, Robyn is a constant source of entertainment and enthusiasm and an excellent travelling companion. A resident of Broome for 21 years, she has some great stories (Fatso the Crocodile) and knows pretty much everyone (and their dog…”That big one’s called Beverley”).

With a rich pearling history, Broome attracted divers from countries such as China, Malaysia, Japan and the Philippines in the 1900’s, and that diversity is still present today. A Taste of Broome celebrates this through music storytelling, dance and food.

After an excellent evening’s entertainment it was time for an early(ish) night. I couldn’t stay out too late as I was competing in the annual Broome Dragon Boat Regatta at Roebuck Bay the next morning, and didn’t want to let my team down! I was originally lined up to be rowing with reigning champs the Surf and Rescue Life Saving crew, but got the feeling they weren’t too keen on an inexperienced Pom scuppering their chances of another title. Continue reading →

Ladies and Gentlemen, James Brown is alive and well!

In fact, he’s running Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm on the Dampier Peninsula. Who would’ve thunked it eh?!
Papa’s got a Brand New Pearl. And so’s my girlfriend but sshhhhhhh! It’s a secret.

After waking with the sunrise in a Safari Tent and watching the whales breach a few hundred metres out to sea from the balcony, it was time to finish up my bush butler breakfast and leave the beautiful surrounds of Kooljaman for Cygnet Bay.

Cygnet Bay is Australia’s oldest pearl farm, home to the Brown family for over 60 years and three generations. Originally established to collect mother-of-pearl, this family run operation has progressed to become the first Australian company cultivating cultured pearls.

Like most people I’d never been to a pearl farm before, and it was absolutely fascinating. There is such a delicate science behind the whole process and a great deal of hard work to create the pearl, and one of the by-products is the fantastic meat from the animal. It has a kind of scallop taste with a calamari texture. The Farm has evolved and expanded over the last three to four years, allowing tourists to visit, take advantage of the great accommodation and opening a top notch restaurant and café. It’s quite astonishing really. Just as with Kooljaman’s kitchen, these places are in the middle of nature, surrounded by outstanding scenery and have amazing chefs sourcing and using local fresh produce.  Continue reading →

Well, 6 weeks ago I was stood on stage at the Sydney Art Gallery, where the Best Jobs winners were announced, in front of a host of TV cameras and news crews,

with my new Taste Master apron hanging proudly around my neck, clutching my giant Western Australia salt and pepper grinders and thanking WA, Tourism Australia and pretty much everybody for making me the new Taste Master of Western Australia.

Since that surreal moment I’ve been back at home in Brighton, preparing for the trip and returning to some sort of normality, with the whole experience seeming like a weird crazy dream. That was until Australia phoned a couple of days ago… “Hi Rich, your visa’s nearly through. When do you want to fly out?!” So 6 months after sending in my application video it’s all about to actually happen. The last couple of days I’ve been frantically packing and organising for the big trip. I’ve had a brief teaser of my first months’ itinerary, and now I fully understand why it’s called The Best Jobs in the World. Talk about a good start to September, I’ll be heading to Australia’s North West for some mud crabbing, pearl harvesting, fishing and foraging in the Kimberley, and then tasting my way around the bountiful flavours of Broome.

So WA, here I come!

I’m really looking forward to meeting you all, embarking on new adventures and exploring WA, starting with Perth next Sunday… I’m hitting the ground running (literally!) and I’ve just registered for the City to Surf 12 km run.

Running shoes: Check
Blister cream: Check

Hope my jet lag’s subsided.

See you all very soon!