One of Western Australia’s brightest culinary talents, Jessica Roe has quickly become one of the State’s most exciting young chefs. Recently awarded Young Chef of the Year 2026 by the West Australian Good Food Guide, Roe is recognised for her refined produce-led cooking and thoughtful approach to hospitality.

As Head Chef of Petition Kitchen within Perth’s iconic State Buildings, Roe’s menus celebrate seasonal Western Australian produce with creativity, restraint and warmth.

At the Festival, Roe curates the Signature Plantation Feast -an immersive dining experience set amongst Carnarvon’s mango plantations, showcasing the extraordinary produce of the Gascoyne.

Paul “Yoda” Iskov is one of Australia’s most respected voices in regional dining and native ingredient storytelling. As founder and Head Chef of Fervor, Iskov has built a reputation for creating deeply place-led dining experiences that connect people to local ingredients, culture and landscape.

A recognised Dreamer for Tourism Western Australia, Iskov is passionate about sustainability, First Nations knowledge and showcasing the diversity of Western Australian ingredients. His approach to dining goes far beyond the plate – weaving storytelling, cultural connection and a profound respect for country into every experience.

At the Festival, Iskov leads Fireside Yarns: Land, Sea & Story – an intimate evening of native ingredients, fire, storytelling and shared connection beneath the stars.

Adventure photographer and storyteller Aaron Green is known for capturing the wild beauty, remote landscapes and hidden stories of Western Australia through his project Lands Unseen. As one of Tourism WA’s official Dreamers, Green explores the road less travelled -documenting rugged coastlines, remote stations and the communities that give regional Western Australia its spirit and soul.

Through cinematic imagery and immersive storytelling, Green has become recognised for revealing a side of Western Australia many travellers never see – authentic, raw and deeply connected to place.

At this year’s Festival, Green will help capture and share the people, landscapes and experiences that make the Gascoyne unlike anywhere else in Australia.