I first visited Ningaloo in June of this year during the final throws of the Best Jobs In The World campaign, where myself and two other Taste Master finalists had the privilege of swimming with the world’s biggest fish, the whale shark (UNBELIEVABLE experience).

Since starting my new job I’ve really been looking forward to returning, but as I crested the North West Cape and drove south into the Cape Range National Park I actually gasped out loud.

Maybe it was because last time I was here I had one eye on my competitors, but as I caught a glimpse of the ocean, I honestly didn’t remember the water being so turquoise and so……BRIGHT.

I’m staying at Sal Salis, a luxury eco-safari camp about an hour drive from Learmonth Airport and before I get there I’ve been set a top secret mission. Special Order Number 68 is awaiting me at Exmouth Fish Mongers and I have to collect en-route before cooking for my fellow guests that evening. Kind of like the television show ‘Come Dine With Me’ set on the shores of one of the world’s greatest fringing reefs.

At Sal Salis, their prime motivation is to open the minds of their guests to the environment of the Ningaloo Marine Park and the Cape Range National Park. All power at the camp is generated by the sun and everyone has a maximum 20 litres of water a day, generating a minimal environmental impact.

That evening I met with Head Chef Shakira to open the mystery package and discuss what we were going to force the other guests to eat that night…..

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And we’re off! Ladies and Gentlemen my Taste Mastering adventure begins in Broome where we pick up our 4WD.

Make sure you know how to work the windscreen wipers otherwise you’ll spend the whole journey with them going like the clappers every time you try and indicate. We’re on our way to Kooljaman, a wilderness camp on the Dampier Peninsula 200km north of Broome in the Kimberley region, and we’re meeting up with my new hero, Brian Lee.

Brian is an Aboriginal elder and mud crab fisherman. He’s softly spoken, extremely wise and a great teacher and story teller. He’s also got a wicked sense of humour! Me being all respectful and first day on the job and everything, fell for the majority of his gags.

Today we’re catching our own dinner and on the menu is mud crab. Armed with just a metal pole and hessian sack we’re at Hunters Creek. Waiting for the tide to go out to reveal the crab holes, Brian suddenly whips his shirt off and dives straight in. He emerges a few minutes later whooping and hollering and holding aloft the biggest, meanest looking crab you’ve ever seen, looks to me and says… “Your turn.” Really??! First day on the job and I’m going to get my fingers ripped off by a massive crustacean?… I’ll never play guitar again.

Thankfully he breaks into a huge smile.

“Oh Brian, you big kidder you” I laugh nervously as sweat pours down my face.

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