With major truffle events like the Fremantle Truffle Festival and the Truffle Kerfuffle over for the year over on top of the end of school holidays, it may seem like you’ve missed your chance to sample Western Australia’s famous black truffle – but we’re here to let you know that there are still plenty to come for the season.
Depending on the conditions, truffle season runs from early June to as late as September. From late July to early August, many chefs and restaurants are still showcasing truffles, from Perth to the Southern Forests region truffle hot spots like Manjimup and Pemberton. Wherever you go, you’ll be able to taste a world-class ingredient that many make a pilgrimage for each year.
Follow the truffle trail from Perth across venues like Cosy Del’s in Lathlain, hosting their annual truffle dinner on Saturday, August 8. Five courses for $129pp traverse beef tartare, WA marron and Gnocchi alla tartufata, all imbued with black truffle flair. Claremont restaurant Avalon will host two more Truffle Dinners for the season, where Thursday nights welcome a five course set menu inflecting everything from seafood chowder to panna cotta with black truffle.
Samuels on Mill also brings the Southern Forests to Perth tables in August, shaving Manjimup truffles tableside paired with Vasse Felix wine.
If you’re more inclined to put together your own truffle dishes, Manjimup truffle farm Truffle Hill has opened a new boutique in Claremont, where truffles are delivered daily from the farm and hand-picked, weighed and wrapped in-store. There are also oils, salts, pastes and more to explore for truffle aficionados.
Back at the Truffle Hill farm, truffle hunting experiences are available throughout August, where visitors can pick from two packages – The Truffle Hunt and Tasting sees truffle-lovers join the hunting dogs in the old oak forest, followed by a tasting that pairs the coveted Périgord truffles with cool-climate wines, while the Truffle Forage and Feast takes place deep in the truffière and ends the day with a degustation focused on everything found in the forest.
Other Manjimup fixtures in truffle season include the Australian Truffle Traders, who have regular guided tours and truffle hunts throughout the season. Plus, truffle menus are everywhere in the region throughout winter. Restaurants, pubs and cafés show out, like Tall Timbers, with a truffle burger, truffle arancini and beef carpaccio with shaved truffle.
Manjimup Heritage Park is set to host Forage & Feast: Manjimup Truffle Uncovered, celebrating the final weeks of truffle season. On Saturday, August 8, visitors can watch live cooking demonstrations, meet and chat with growers, and browse artisan products and flavours. There will also be a Kids Truffle Discovery Zone to keep the little ones entertained.
Heading west to Margaret River, the best of Western Australia’s food and wine are set to make the most of the last of this year’s truffles. Venues like Settler’s Tavern and The Spot Italiano incorporate truffles into their menu throughout the season, where Lamont’s in Yallingup hosts Winter Truffle Nights through August, featuring seasonal produce, European influences and Asian twists.
You could also buy fresh truffles at Margaret River Farmer’s Market, or lace up your boots for a hunt at Margaret River Gourmet Truffles or on a Forage Safari tour.
Australia is the fourth-largest black truffle producer in the world, with Western Australia responsible for around 80 – 90% of that total. Over the years, WA truffles have gained a reputation for consistency, delicacy and demand overseas – with a name like “black gold,” who wouldn’t want to taste?