Shore Leave Festival 2023: Crowds enjoy a packed schedule of local produce, star chefs and family fun

It was not just the fancy events, like the Abrolhos Long Table Lunch and Mid West Paddock to Place, drawing in the crowds at Shore Leave, with many smaller, free events making an impact — and the beach price markets were a stand-out. While a free cooking showcase from celebrity chef Matt Moran drew a large crowd, it was the local markets and food that people stayed for. Moran was in town on Friday with his executive chef Laura Baratto to dish out wisdom, while the Central Regional TAFE students dished out their expertly made cakes and coffees to the crowd at the Morning with Matt Moran event on Friday. The chef showed off three of his favourite ways to cook rock lobster at the beach price markets, using what he described as “some amazing produce in this area.’ “Did a cooking demo of lobster roll, barbecued lobster and a little salad…it’s so good doing these little cooking classes, the crowd really get enthusiastic about it,” he said. “The great thing today is we had so much lobster and we got to give them a taste.” Although the crowd was quick to correct the famous chef by letting him know that it is called crayfish in these parts, he said it is still lobster. Natalie McCartney was lucky enough to be picked from the crowd to try Moran’s lobster roll. “It was delicious, you can see the passion and the technique that goes into his food” she said. Justin Pirrottina from Western Rock Lobster says the yearly event is great with people coming to try the crayfish off the back of their boat. “Not so much about showcasing the seafood but it’s everything local, it has been a really great initiative,” he said. “They come and they hear our story … the kids come on and they have a look at our crays. Even if they don’t buy one, it’s great they come and talk.” Along with a cooking class from Moran, those who came to the markets listened to sea shanties performed by local group Rum Jungle. Captain of the group Fraser Adam said: “We dress as pirates, sing sea shanties and have a lot of fun … I love the local content, it’s such a rich maritime history in Geraldton and on the coast.”