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There’s just one week to go for the ninth annual Winning Appliances & Asko Truffle Kerfuffle held at the picturesque Fonty’s Pool in Manjimup nestled in Western Australia’s south west. Here is our top ten truffle list for the weekend ahead.


1. The star of the show: Truffles 

At the epicentre of the Winning Appliances & Asko Truffle Kerfuffle is the true star of the show, the ‘tuber melanosporum’, otherwise known as the black truffle, prized for its rarity and beguiling aroma.

Truffle Kerfuffle is a celebration of one of the world’s most luxurious ingredients that fetch prices between $2 and $3 a gram, that’s $2,000 to $3,000 per kilogram, which explains how they came to be known affectionately as ‘black gold’.

Truffle season is short, from June to August, and you only need a small amount to transform a dish from ordinary to sublimely extraordinary. Talented chefs will show you how to best use truffle during the free cooking demonstrations on stage at the Festival Village. Plus, there’s no better place to buy freshly unearthed truffles than at the Marketplace in the Festival Village.

2. Southern Forests Produce

There is something magical going on in this gorgeous, pristine part of the world. The Southern Forests region of Western Australia has clear, crisp air, fertile loamy soils, the purity of the rainfall and 365 growing days a year. From finger limes to potatoes, apples and the prized Bravo apple, pumpkins, persimmons and stone fruit, in fact, the region produces over 50 different types of fruit, vegetable and nuts as well as milk, beef, marron and a host of other food types. And let’s not forget the reason we’re here, the revered black truffle.

As you savour the produce and you’ll know what the locals have known for generations, that Southern Forests Produce simply looks, smells and tastes better. You’ll be able to try and purchase direct from producers at the Marketplace, which is all undercover at the Festival Village

3. Incredible Chefs

Chefs are attracted to truffle and the big names are attracted to Truffle Kerfuffle. This year, the impressive line up includes Pete Evans, Poh, Anna Gare, Nicole Bampton (Capriccio Osteria, Sydney), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Russell Blaikie (Must Winebar), Tony Howell (Cape Lodge), Paul Iskov (Fervor), Scott Brannigan (Bread in Common), Chris Eales (Bread in Common), Amy Hamilton (Liberté), Sophie Zalokar (Foragers), Nic Wood (Santini), Melissa Palinkas (Young George), Sophie Budd (Taste Budds), chocolatier Sue Lewis, along with chefs from revered eateries Mary Street Bakery and Tiny’s.

Past chefs include Jack Stein, Paul West, James Viles, Mark Best, Shane Osborn, Matthew Evans, Guy Grossi, David Coomer, Marianne Lumb, Sam Aisbett and Bruno Loubet.

4. The Festival Village

The beautiful setting at Fonty’s Pool offers amazing truffle experiences and it’s the perfect place to smell, taste, buy and learn about black truffle and Southern Forests wine and produce.

There are free tastings, free cooking demonstrations all weekend, truffle dog demos, children’s activities and cooking classes, a chance to chat to producers, farmers and wine makers, live music and much more.

The Festival Village is the vibrant hub of Truffle Kerfuffle weekend and offers a unique chance to indulge in black truffles at their freshest, minutes from where they are unearthed. The Festival Village is at Fonty’s Pool open 10am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday

5. Truffle Hunts

Fossicking through forests of hazelnut or oak trees with clever canines hunting for truffles is the quintessential truffle experience. The remaining Truffle Hunts are selling fast with a few places still available. Choose from renowned truffle growers Australian Truffle Traders, Fonty’s Pool Farm, Silverwood Truffles, Timeless Hill and Millgrove Truffles for a truffle hunt. Tickets include shuttle buses from the Festival Village to the truffière.

6. Sound like a pro

Know the proper terms and you’ll sound like a seasoned truffle professional.

Truffière – the French name for a place where truffles are grown. It is pronounced TRUE-fee-air. If you can’t find the grave è in Microsoft Word, it is ok to write it ‘truffiere’ or call it a truffle orchard or truffle farm. But there’s no such word as ‘truffery’ or ‘trufferie’ in any dictionary.

Truffier – the person who grows truffles is, in French, a truffier without an accented e, pronounced TRUE-fee-er, but here they call themselves truffle growers.

7. Delicious Dining Events

Enhance your truffle experience by taking a seat at a candle-lit long table for a decadent dining experience prepared by renowned chefs.

Last remaining tickets are available for Enchanted Southern Forests Feast with Pete Evans, Magical Manjimup Brunch with Aaron Carr and Mary Street Bakery on Saturday, L’Elegante Tartufo (The Elegant Truffle) dinner with Santini’s Nic Wood and Melissa Palinkas from Young George on Saturday night,  Wholesome Winter Sunday Brunch with Pete Evans, and Poh’s Lunch Among the Karris.

8. Up close and personal in the Chef’s Cabin Series presented by Winning Appliances

The intimate Chef’s Cabin Series presented by Winning Appliances are popular with foodies and those wanting to be up close to learn more about using such a premium ingredient.

Chefs will be sharing recipes and knowledge with lots of tips and tricks, so gather around the kitchen bench of the limited Chef’s Cabin Series. Last tickets remain with Pete Evans, native food expert Paul Iskov from Fervor and revered Liberté restaurant owner and chef Amy Hamilton.

Hosted by Gourmet Traveller’s Max Veenhuyzen, the Chef’s Cabin masterclasses are renowned for personal connections, flowing conversations and include fine wine. Most of the Chef’s Cabin sessions are already sold out, so get in quick.

9. Learn from the masters of wine, beer and spirits

With good food, comes good wine, and leading wine expert Paul Edwards from Full Bottle Wine Education and Events will lead the Wine Shed Sessions presented by Winning Appliances & Vintec. The themed Wine Shed Sessions feature six tastings that will explore the best regional wine including texture, science, art and terroir in an informal long table format.

New this year are five intimate and interactive Beer and Spirit Masterclasses held across the weekend in the Jarrah Jacks Bar that will showcase how to perfectly pair delicious local beers with artisanal cheeses, beer with chocolate or whisky with cured meats, as well as experience the unique and interesting flavours of rum and learn about the art of making award-winning gin.

10. The Truffle Kerfuffle Closing Party

Extend your weekend and watch the sun go down on the ninth annual TruffleKerfuffle. Gather by the fire, catch up with old friends and new, listen to truffle stories and toe-tap to fireside tunes. Tiny’s head chef Josh Gray will spit roast a sensational, simple and hearty rustic dinner that comes with a glass of something local. Rub shoulders with chefs, producers, locals and visitors and take time to unwind and reflect after an amazing weekend. And yes, of course there’ll be truffles.

The Winning Appliances & Asko Truffle Kerfuffle, from 21 to 23 June at Fonty’s Pool, Manjimup, Western Australia, is held in the most prolific truffle growing region in the Southern Hemisphere and is a true celebration of Manjimup’s prized black truffles, sought-after by chefs across the globe for their consistent high quality, impossible-to-describe taste and heady, earthy aroma.

The State Government is a proud supporter of the Truffle Kerfuffle through Tourism WA’s Regional Events Program.