It’s the return of music and food favourites for Hooked on Portland 2022, as the festival re-emerges after a 12-month forced hiatus.

Television chef and sustainability advocate Paul West and Melbourne based rock/folk duo Pierce Brothers will once again headline the festival’s free entertainment offerings, which will take place on 22 and 23 January 2022.

Hooked on Portland was first launched in 2019 and is coordinated by the Glenelg Shire Council in partnership with the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA). The event aims to promote Portland as a regional destination of choice and it’s many fishing, food and tourism offerings.

West of River Cottage Australia fame will appear at the Catch and Cook stage, supported by fishing television personality Lee Rayner to provide cooking and filleting demonstrations and to discuss the importance of sustainability and sourcing regional supplies.

The Pierce Brothers will headline the live music stage, supported by Yorta Yorta Indigenous singer/songwriter Benny Walker. A string of popular local artists such as The Settlement, Flynn Gurry, Dean Outtram and Damon Yuill and Since Tuesday will help provide over six hours of live music entertainment on Portland’s beachfront.

Glenelg Shire Mayor Cr Anita Rank said the return of West and the Pierce Brothers were huge drawcards for the festival, both with a loyal and ever-growing national fan-base.

“Many will recognise Paul West from his cooking and lifestyle show River Cottage Australia which aired on Foxtel’s Lifestyle Channel and SBS. The show followed the popular Tasmanian foodie’s journey growing an abundance of farm-fresh food to cook and share with his local community,” she explained.

“Paul West is one of this country’s most loved chefs and was a huge hit at our 2019 festival – we are thrilled to be able to welcome him back to Portland.

“Meanwhile crowd favourites the Pierce Brothers will bring their addictive high energy performance style back to the festival main stage. The duo have firmly established themselves as a figurehead of the Australian music scene, boasting two Top 10 ARIA Eps and over 7 million global streams.

“The Pierce Brothers have remained one of the most talked-about and loved acts of Hooked on Portland, and we know audiences will be delighted that they can once again see the brothers live amidst the backdrop of the stunning Portland Foreshore.”

Cr Rank said alongside the headline acts, there was plenty of free entertainment to appeal to the whole family.

“The festival will feature the VFA activity marquee and giveaways, food trucks, markets, Australian Fishing Academy workshops and clinics, kids’ amusements, Skatepark League Australia scooter demonstrations and competition and more,” she said.

“There is something on offer for everyone and we can’t wait to welcome back crowds to the Glenelg Shire for this iconic event.”

To keep up to date with all festival details follow the Hooked on Portland Facebook page