Mandoon Estate has hosted the inaugural From Country to the World bushfoods and cultural showcase, celebrating its long-standing relationship with Noongar Elder Dale Tilbrook and raising funds to send a First Nations Youth Delegation to Terra Madre 2026 in Italy.
The event, held in partnership with Western Australian not-for-profit Prepare Produce Provide (PPP), brought together secondary school students, Elders, bushfoods specialists, educators and hospitality leaders to celebrate First Nations food culture and build pathways for young people through food, education and cultural leadership.
Terra Madre, held by Slow Food, is the world’s largest gathering celebrating food culture, sustainability and Indigenous knowledge. PPP hopes to send up to 14 youth ambassadors, emerging leaders, educators, chefs, Elders and cultural advisors to the event.
Mandoon Estate general manager Andrew Pruyn said hosting the showcase was a natural extension of the estate’s relationship with Tilbrook.
“Our relationship with Dale is built on genuine connection and a shared belief in the power of food and storytelling to bring people together, and we’re proud to extend that support to the important work of Prepare Produce Provide,” Pruyn said.
Tilbrook shares Aboriginal art, culture and knowledge with visitors through the onsite Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery, and runs Bushtucker Talk and Taste experiences introducing guests to native ingredients and traditional uses. She has worked with PPP for more than 12 years as a patron, cultural advisor and bushfoods educator.
“Terra Madre is an incredible opportunity for our young people to take their knowledge, culture and stories to the world, while learning from Indigenous communities and food cultures from around the globe,” Tilbrook said.
Gold Medal-winning students from the inaugural WA Secondary School Bushfoods Competition had their dishes served to guests on the night, including finger lime chicken katsu by Dianella Secondary College students Angela Moran and Summer Perry, and two dishes from Armadale Senior High School students. The winning dishes will represent Western Australia at the National Competition in Melbourne later this year.
Mandoon Estate executive chef Michael Hartnell and Wild Swan executive chef Anthony Power led the kitchen team on the night, working alongside bushfoods specialist Rohan Park, Peter Tischhauser from the Australian Culinary Federation, pastry chef Julia Buri, and members of the Australian Culinary Federation WA Youth Culinary Team.
PPP founder Catherine MacDougall said the funds raised would help send the delegation to Italy.
“The funds raised will help take that next step onto the international stage, giving First Nations young people the opportunity to share culture at Slow Food’s Terra Madre while developing confidence, leadership and career pathways,” MacDougall said.
The showcase builds on Mandoon Estate’s Reconciliation Action Plan, commenced in 2022, which included renaming its 32-room accommodation to Maya Maya – meaning “camp” in local language – in recognition of the site’s significance as a traditional camping place for Whadjuk Noongar people.
