Shore Leave: Abrolhos Islands selected to host fine-dining experience during the Geraldton seafood festival

A long-table lunch on the Abrolhos Islands is set to be a marquee event at the inaugural Shore Leave Festival in May, with tickets now on sale for the four-day seafood extravaganza. East Wallabi Island has been selected as the site of the seafood fine-dining experience, with WA chef Brendan Pratt announced as event host. Mr Pratt said he was “extremely excited” to be curating the menu for the long-table lunch. “It is always a pleasure to work on an event that celebrates Western Australian seafood and produce,” he said. “Coupled with the unique setting, this event will be a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.” A fresh seafood market at Fisherman’s Wharf will be another highlight of the festival, with a pop-up bar, educational workshops, and seafood preparation demonstrations from former MasterChef contestant Derek Lau to coincide with this event. Hosted by former MasterChef contestant Jessica Arnott on the third night of the festival, the Foreshore Feast will have cocktails, seafood dishes, and live entertainment available for guests to enjoy. The festival, which will run from May 6-9, will “signal to the rest of Australia the Mid West is now a premier destination”, according to Fisheries Minister Peter Tinley. The State Government has committed $300,000 to the event, with other sponsors including the City of Greater Geraldton, Mid West Ports Authority, and Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-operative. The event is expected to draw thousands of visitors and tipped to deliver a $1.5 million boost to the local economy based on modelling by the Mid West Development Commission. Visit the Shore Leave website for tickets.