Jed Gerrard’s Guide to Perth

Interviewed by Dan F Stapleton

Growing up in the West Australian countryside, Jed Gerrard often went fishing and foraging with his family, developing a love of fresh and seasonal ingredients in the process. Today, he’s one of Australia’s most acclaimed chefs: he was crowned The West Australian Good Food Guide Chef of the Year in 2018 while at the helm of the Perth restaurants Post and Wildflower (both within the Como The Treasury hotel) and is now executive chef at the Ritz-Carlton, Perth. Jed says Perth’s laid-back suburbs and proximity to beautiful beaches and bushland make it a fun and relaxing place to live. Here are the venues and attractions he says show off the city at its best.

Outdoor secret spot: Lesmurdie Falls

“You’ll find this spot in the foothills of Perth, in the Lesmurdie Falls National Park. It feels like you’re miles from civilisation, even though you’re just a half-hour drive from the city. A beautiful walk starts at the top of the waterfall and goes down into the gorge, and you can go swimming at the bottom of the waterfall. At the start and end of that walk you can look west and see the entire Perth skyline. It’s a perfect place to watch the sunset. My grandparents used to live in Lesmurdie and when I used to visit them we’d go to the falls and have picnics together. We would go for walks around the falls, catch yabbies and cook them over the barbecue.”

Lesser known suburb: Burns Beach

“This coastal suburb is a half-hour drive north of central Perth. I love it for its coastal walking path, which doesn’t have a road next to it. Burns Beach feels really secluded. The path takes you past little coves and spots where there are holes in the reef for swimming in the beautiful clear water. It’s also where we get all our wild abalone for the restaurant. There are a couple of little shacks along the beach for food, too. It’s quite a special place.”

Eat street: Barrack Street

“Along the length of about two blocks near the water, Barrack Street in the city centre has such a diverse range of restaurants and bars. If you start at the State Buildings, you can sample craft beers at Beer Corner, try Thai at Long Chim or just grab a coffee at Telegram. Further up the street, there’s great ramen at Bari-Uma, Korean barbecue at Palsaik Namoo and banh mi (spicy sandwiches) at Le Vietnam. I appreciate this street because there is such a diversity of cuisines within a couple of blocks. No matter what I am feeling like, I can find good quality food: ramen, Korean barbecue, pizza, Vietnamese banh mi...the list goes on.” 

Favourite bar: The Standard

“The Standard isn’t just a bar: it also does excellent casual dining, and there’s a lovely courtyard so you can sit out with your food or drinks. It’s a really nice spot in summer, has great ambience and an amazing and unique view over the city skyline from the upstairs area. The suburb, Northbridge, is very close to the city centre and is full of bars, restaurants and art galleries to discover.”

Destination shopping experience: Leederville

“Oxford Street, in the suburb of Leederville, is just north of the city centre and is full of cool little stores, from independent fashion boutiques to quirky bookshops and record stores. I’m a record collector and I like dropping in to Urban Records to expand my collection. Leederville has got an upscale vibe but it’s bustling and draws a really mixed crowd. There are some good spots for food and coffee, and it’s also home to Kailis Bros, a family seafood shop that’s been operating for almost 100 years. You can pick up fish and chips there or browse a selection of the best fresh West Australian seafood.”

Only in Perth: Kings Park

“Kings Park is one of the largest inner-city parks in the world. One of my favourite things to do here is go on a cultural tour. The Indigenous guide will tell you about the history of the Swan River and what Perth looked like before European settlers came along. Aside from that, the park is just a beautiful place, with lots to do, and it’s a great opportunity to see native flora such as the wildflowers that Western Australia is known for.”

Favourite hotels: Ritz-Carlton and Alex Hotel

“Obviously, I think the Ritz-Carlton is amazing – it’s hard to beat the location on the Swan River. I’m really proud of the culinary offering at the hotel, because it showcases the astonishing diversity of Western Australian produce and tells the stories of local farmers, fishermen and artisans. Another solid hotel pick is the Alex Hotel, in a great location in Northbridge, right next to the city. It’s a smaller hotel with some quirks: there are free pushbikes for guests to borrow, for example. The wine bar there is excellent, too – it showcases West Australian wines and has a nice, simple food menu.”