Willie Creek Pearls’ Pearl Meat Cook Off wows crowds with take on Yawuru seasons

One of the most anticipated events on the Shinju Matsuri festival line-up returned to the Pearl Luggers deck on Thursday night to display a famed Broome delicacy. Willie Creek’s Pearl Meat Cook Off brought together Broome’s best chefs to test their skills and showcase their take on this year’s theme A Taste of the Six Seasons, inspired by the six Yawuru seasons. In an intimate cocktail setting with live entertainment by Broome trio The HJ’s, the judging panel included special guest Kahnh Ong, CEO Paul Birch and president Lynne Bunney, with Toni Flanagan doing MC duties. As Mr Ong took to the stage to announce the winner, he noted the winning entry heroed the pearl meat with its complimentary flavours and textures. Spinifex Brewing Co’s head chef Igor Rossi was crowned as the winner of this year’s competition, wowing the judges and food fans with the culinary expertise demonstrated in his pearl meat entry. Mr Rossi and his team served up hibachi-grilled pearl meat that had been marinated for 48-hours in native botanicals such as anise myrtle and lemon myrtle, brushed with quandong oil and topped with a fresh mango mignonette. Speaking to the Broome Advertiser after the win, an excited Mr Rossi shared how he hopes to bring more dishes incorporating native ingredients to the menu for the opening of the new brewery. “I’m so happy because it’s important for the new menu and we’re going to bring such good food to people,” he said. The Shinju Matsuri festival continues until September 10, with the Lotterywest Finale being held at Town Beach.