FOUR CHEFS. FOUR CLASSIC DISHES. FOUR INCREDIBLE NEW TWISTS. WHO WILL BE VICTORIOUS?

Four of Australia’s most respected chefs will step into the spotlight for the ninth annual Hunter Culinary Association Food Fight in a hotly-contested battle to create the best and most popular new twist on a classic dish.

The annual Food Fight is our signature event and is a highly-anticipated occasion on the Hunter’s culinary calendar.

This year’s clash promises to be as thrilling as ever, with the chefs going head to head working their magic and creating a unique take on classic dishes that have stood the test of time. Each chef will prepare one lunch course – their own interpretation of a classic dish or flavour combination. Every course will be matched with a Hunter Valley Wine, and guests will vote for the dish they preferred at the conclusion of lunch.

The chefs are; Joel Bickford (Aria) Mitch Orr (ACME) Frank Fawkner (EXP Restaurant) Hamish Watt (Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley)

In addition to being an incredible gastronomic experience, the Food Fight event also raises money for the Brett Graham Scholarship through a charity auction. The scholarship program is one of several offered by HCA and helps support the region’s young chefs by offering them the opportunity to work with Brett Graham at his acclaimed London Michelin starred restaurant, The Ledbury.

The annual Food Fight has allowed the scholarship to grow from covering just the cost of a recipient’s flight to an additional $10,000 prize, which can make a huge difference to a young chef’s career development.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Monday 18 June 2018

Time: 11am

Location: Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, Pokolbin.

Cost: $175 for HCA members, $220 for non-members and $90 for apprentice chefs

Bookings: mail@hunterculinary.com.au

Two thousand and eighteen is set to be a huge year for Hunter Culinary Association as we celebrate a fresh new brand and 12 delicious years in business. 

Local design and branding agency February are the talented team behind this exciting new direction, and we're pleased to announce that February has come on board as a gold sponsor of the Association in 2018.

We would also like to thank our PR agency House of Airlie for helping us bring this new brand to life  - we hope our members love our fresh new look!  

Already in the diary for 2018 are seasonal and educational lunches, produce tours and one of the most anticipated HCA events, now in its ninth year, is the annual Food Fight on Monday 18 June 2018 at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley.

If you would like to enquire about joining as a member with Hunter Culinary Association please visit the membership page on our website for more details.

Kicking off what promises to be an abundantly delicious 2018 with our highly-anticipated seasonal lunch that will be held at The Cellar Restaurant in Pokolbin.

The luncheon will feature a masterclass by renowned chef, charcuterist and butcher Michael Robinson. There aren’t many who know their way around the traditional art of whole animal butchery like Michael does, and guests will be in for a treat as he showcases best practice in breaking down a whole veal carcass and shares some of his tips and tricks of the trade.

Michael began his cooking career training at The Bathers Pavilion, Balmoral, and moved overseas to take up roles at renowned restaurants La Trompette in London and Ortolan in LA. When he returned to Australia Michael joined Justin North at the two-hatted Becasse where he worked for five years as joint head chef before launching Becasse group’s one-hatted Quarter 21.

Looking for a tree change Michael moved north to the Hunter Valley, where he was head chef at Margan restaurant for three years before taking over Branxton Quality Meats in 2016. It was here his passion for meat and charcuterie really came into its own, and he has continued to work with small local farms and producers, sourcing quality ethically produced animals and developing his knowledge of dry ageing, curing and fermenting meats.

The autumn seasonal lunch is the first for 2018 and will be held at The Cellar Restaurant on Tuesday, 17 April. Following the masterclass, owner and chef Andy Wright will prepare a delicious three-course lunch, which will be served with matching Hunter Valley wines.

AUTUMN SEASONAL LUNCH DETAILS

Date: 17 April 2018.

Time: 10.30am.

Location: The Cellar Restaurant, Pokolbin.

Cost: $100 for HCA members, $130 for non-members and $30 for apprentice chefs.

To book contact Kirsty at Hunter Culinary Association – mail@hunterculinary.com.au