Shore Leave 2025: Festival’s marquee events at Abrolhos and Yanget Farm again showcase best of Mid West

Shore Leave’s marquee events, the Abrolhos Long Table Lunch and Midwest Paddock to Plate, were again showcases of the best produce the Mid West has to offer. This year for the first time, there were two long table lunches held on East Wallabi Island, instead of one. Renowned Perth chef, Scott Bridger from North Fremantle’s Bib & Tucker, created a seafood menu that delighted the tastebuds of hundreds of guests over Wednesday and Thursday. Mr Bridger was back on the islands for the second consecutive year. “Last year was the highlight of my culinary escapades so I jumped at the opportunity when they asked me back,” he said. The barbecue was redesigned this year, resulting in fish and octopus hanging over the flames, just metres from the pristine ocean. Scallops, pink snapper and western rock lobster also featured on the menu at the long table lunches, a staple of the festival held every year over Shore Leave’s five years. While the long table lunches were all about the beach, the bush was the star of the show at Saturday night’s Mid West Paddock to Plate, held for the third time. World-class chef Ben Ing, formerly of three Michelin-starred restaurant Noma in Copenhagen, curated the menu at Yanget Farm, in the Chapman Valley. About 130 guests were treated to a menu of locally inspired dishes, including goat tacos, steak tartar and 72-hour slow-cooked short ribs. Students from Central Regional TAFE in Geraldton were able to gain some valuable work experience, preparing and serving guests and baking the fresh crusty bread for the tables. As the cool night crept in, guests mingled around campfires, soaking in the atmosphere as smooth jazz tunes floated across the paddock. Thousands more revelled in the Shore Leave spirit through a variety of events and activities held in and around The Helm, the pop-up headquarters on Geraldton’s foreshore, between Thursday and Sunday. Minister for the Mid West Jackie Jarvis attended some of Shore Leave and said the event was an important stage to showcase the world-class culinary offerings available in the Mid West, creating unforgettable experiences in the process. “Encouraging visitors to travel to WA’s regions to attend events like Shore Leave is a priority for the WA Government, as we know events generate significant economic benefits for local tourism, hospitality and accommodation businesses, and create vibrancy in our regional communities,” she said.