Heston cooks up WA trip with mum

Rockstar chef Heston Blumenthal is heading back to WA - and this time he's bringing his mother.

Just minutes before two of his British restaurants were named among the world's top 50 at a prestigious annual event in London on Monday, Blumenthal confirmed he would attend this year's Margaret River Gourmet Escape.

"Yes, we're coming to Western Australia - and we can't wait," he told The West Australian.

"We always hear so many great things about Margaret River.

"It was most unfortunate we couldn't make it last year."

Chef Heston Blumenthal and his mum Celia, pictured at the world's best 50 restaurants event in London, say they're heading for Margaret River.

Blumenthal, arguably the most recognised chef in the world, was one of the headline attractions at last year's event, but was forced to withdraw after two of his top chefs were killed in a traffic accident in Hong Kong.

Like last year, Blumenthal plans to spend a few extra days in WA - on either side of the Margaret River festivities - with other members of his family, including mother Celia.

"Mum loves Australia so I guess she'll be coming along," he said.

Blumenthal's flagship The Fat Duck slipped 20 spots to 33 on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list, while Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, the highest new-entry restaurant in the top 50 last year, was seventh.

Melbourne's Attica was Australia's highest-placed restaurant at 21 in a list compiled by the votes of more than 900 industry experts.

The top restaurant was El Celler de Can Roca, run by brothers Joan and Jordi Roca, in Girona, Spain.

Its victory relegated three-time winner Noma, in Copen- hagen, Denmark into second place.

Noma chef Rene Redzepi said he would not be able to come to Margaret River this year but was keen to return soon.

"It is such an amazing place - those white beaches, the great people, the wine, the food, the produce," Redzepi said. "I vowed to return - and I will.

"I remember we did some foraging and found some interesting bush tucker with flavours I have never tasted before. It was amazing."

This year's Margaret River Gourmet Express will run from November 23-25.

Source: The West Australian, 1 May 2013