Celebrity chefs Ben Ing and Scott Bridger to headline Geraldton and Mid West’s Shore Leave Festival for 2025

Two culinary masters — including a returning powerhouse and a former chef at one of the world’s most celebrated restaurants — are set to headline this year’s Shore Leave festival in April. Scott Bridger, executive chef and co-owner of popular Fremantle eatery Bib & Tucker, is back to steer the ship once again at the iconic Abrolhos Long Table Lunch. Bridger is known for his expertise in wood-fired cooking, sustainable seafood and bold, contemporary flavours. Before he curated the menu for last year’s Abrolhos Long Table Lunch, Bridger declared the opportunity was a “bucket list” experience for a chef. In 2025, he is back for more and has even more of a challenge in front of him, with this year’s marquee lunch on the idyllic East Wallabi Island including two sittings due to high demand. Ben Ing was once head chef at Noma in Denmark, Copenhagen working alongside the legendary René Redzepi. The three-Michelin starred European restaurant is considered one of the world’s best. These days, Ing is now the chef and co-owner behind Alberta’s, a creative kitchen making waves in Busselton. Considered a master of foraging, fermentation and hyper-local cooking, Ing is coming to the Mid West to take the lead at this year’s Paddock to Plate event, an unforgettable dining experience with local produce under the stars at Yanget Farm. Geraldton’s Portia Bodycoat is another chef set to showcase sublime produce and flavours of the Mid West at Shore Leave. Bodycoat is known for her creative, produce-driven cooking and passion for storytelling through food and has been involved in past Shore Leave festivals. This time, she is part of the local team organising this year’s festival, who have taken over from the Perth company that had previously been in charge. The local team has promised the 2025 festival will involve more businesses, artists, and produce from the Mid West region than ever before. Tickets for these Shore Leave experiences go on sale on February 13. Shore Leave 2025 is on from April 23-27. For more information, visit https://shoreleavefestival.com.au/