18th May 2021

The annual Food Fight is back once more | 28 Jun

What happens when four gun chefs with a raft of experience and talent from Sydney and the Hunter Valley go head-to-head after a year on the ropes?

Hunter Culinary Association’s Food Fight of course!

The annual Food Fight is the signature event organised by HCA and this year marks a triumphant return as the industry reunites after missing the 2020 edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s line-up promises to be as impressive as ever, with the chefs tasked with creating a standout dish to take out the prestigious title. Each chef will prepare one lunch course, which will be matched with a premium Hunter Valley wine. Guests will vote for their preferred dish at the conclusion of the lunch.

This year, chefs involved in the Food Fight are Mitchell Beswick of Muse Restaurant, Alex Prichard of Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, Sam Alexander of yellow Billy Restaurant, and Andrew Wandless of Una Más at Coogee Pavilion.

HCA’s Chairman Gus Maher said the 11th annual Food Fight makes a welcome return to the Hunter’s culinary event calendar, and will once again be hosted by the inimitable duo Colin Fassnidge and Matt Kemp, who are longtime supporters of the Hunter Culinary Association.

“This year marks an exciting return of our beloved signature event and we are thrilled to be back in action, especially after such a difficult year for our region and the hospitality industry at large in 2020,” Gus said.

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18th May 2021 - Lisa Rockman

Reputations at stake as chefs glove up for this year's Food Fight

The annual Food Fight is the signature event on Hunter Culinary Association's calendar - and by far the most fun.

Hosts Colin Fassnidge and Matt Kemp love a bit of banter and their verbal sparring is always amusing. There's also an entertaining auction that takes place on the day to raise money for the Brett Graham Scholarship and other apprentice mentoring programs.

But the fun stops at the kitchen. This is a competition and reputations are at stake.

The four gun chefs going head-to-head on June 28 at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley are: Mitchell Beswick (Muse Restaurant); Alex Prichard (Icebergs Dining Room and Bar); Sam Alexander (Yellow Billy Restaurant); and Andrew Wandless (Una Ms - Coogee Pavilion).

Each chef will prepare one lunch course which will be matched with a premium Hunter Valley wine. Guests will vote for their preferred dish at the conclusion of the lunch.

Let's meet the chefs.

Mitch Beswick started his career at the age of 15 at Spanish restaurant Pimento in Paddington, moving on to Nick's Seafood restaurant in Darling Harbour, Salsa Bar and Grill Port Douglas, Longrain Restaurant, Ravesis Bondi and Qualia Resort on Hamilton Island. Relocating to the Hunter Valley, he was sous chef at Rock Restaurant and head chef at Leaves and Fishes and Black Creek Farm. He is now head chef at the two-hatted Muse Restaurant.

Sam Alexander, a Broke local, started out at Nightingale Wines followed by stints at The Golden Door Health Retreat, Fins of Byron Bay and Bistro Molines. He worked with the Icebergs and Merivale groups and at Newcastle's Reserve before opening his first restaurant in 2018: Yellow Billy, back home in the Hunter Valley.

Andrew Wandless hails from Penrith and started his career at the age of 19, holding apprenticeships at restaurants within the Bayfield's Hotels Group, including the historic Newport Arms Hotel. He moved to London in 2009 to work as commis chef at Rhodes 24, followed by Mayfair's two Michelin-starred Hibiscus and two Michelin-starred The Ledbury. After stints at Clapham venue The Dairy and Fera at Claridge's he joined Texture in 2014 as head chef. Returning to Australia, he took on the head chef role at Una Ms, one of the latest additions to the middle floor of Coogee Pavilion.

Last but not least is Alex Prichard, originally of Kurrajong, who has worked with some of the best chefs in the world. He is a lover of native produce and celebrates small growers and producers, honing on in the importance of origin. He is now head chef at the iconic Icebergs Dining Room & Bar.

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17th May 2021 - Eat, Festivals - Jess Gauci

The Hunter Culinary Associations Food Fight Returns

Four gun chefs from Sydney and the Hunter Valley go head-to-head to take the Food Fight title for 2021.

The Hunter Culinary Association Food Fight is one of the longest standing and most popular lunches in the Wine Country calander. After cancelling the 2020 edition due to COVID-19, the event is set to make a triumphant return with an impressive lineup of renowned chefs from Sydney and Hunter Valley. Pitting chef against chef in light hearted competition, the Food Fight raises vital funds for young and aspiring chef scholarships. The event attracts large industry support, but is also open for all foodies to attend and immerse themselves in a special gastronomic experience.

The chefs involved in the 2021 Food Fight are Mitchell Beswick (Muse Restaurant), Alex Prichard (Icebergs Dining Room and Bar), Sam Alexander (Yellow Billy Restaurant) and
Andrew Wandless (Una Más – Coogee Pavilion). Each of these talented chefs has earned their stripes at some of the world’s most prestigious Michelin-starred and hatted restaurants. The event will once again be hosted by the inimitable duo Colin Fassnidge and Matt Kemp, who are longtime supporters of the Hunter Culinary Association.

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14th May 2021

Brett Graham (The Ledbury) - Build it again

Deep in the Weeds - A Food Podcast with Anthony Huckstep

After running one of the world's best restaurants and reaching number 10 in the world, Brett Graham (The Ledbury) realised what he had worked so hard to build was jeopardy when the pandemic landed. With a venue incapable of function with social distancing in any form and uncertainty around the opening up of society he was left with no choice but to close. But with a never-say-die attitude he has taken the opportunity to explore new ingredients, and the agricultural side associated with food production with astounding results.

‎Link to Apple Podcasts

14th May 2021 - Annabelle Cloros

Hunter Culinary’s Food Fight returns

The Hunter Culinary Association is set to host ultimate Food Fight, which will see four chefs battle it out for glory.

The event returns to the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, Pokolbin, on Monday 28 June after a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

Sydney chefs Andrew Wandless from Merivale’s Una Más and Alex Prichard from Icebergs Dining Room and Bar will compete against the Hunter’s Mitchell Beswick from Muse Restaurant and Sam Alexander from Yellow Billy Restaurant.

Each chef will prepare a lunch course that will be paired with a Hunter Valley wine, with the winning dish determined by attendees, who will cast their vote after the feast concludes.

The 2021 event marks the 11th iteration of the Food Fight, which raises money for the Hunter Culinary Association’s Brett Graham Scholarship as well as other support and mentoring opportunities for young talent.

Tickets are now on sale and are priced at $175 for Hunter Culinary members; $90 for apprentices and $195 for non-members.

Image credit: Elfes Images

14th May 2021

A Culinary Comeback – The Hunter Culinary Association Returns

What happens when four gun chefs with a raft of experience and talent from Sydney and the Hunter Valley go head-to-head after a year on the ropes?

The annual Food Fight is the signature event organised by the Hunter Culinary Association (HCA) and this year marks a triumphant return as the industry reunites after missing the 2020 edition due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This year’s line-up promises to be as impressive as ever, with the chefs tasked with creating a standout dish to take out the prestigious title. Each chef will prepare one lunch course, which will be matched with a premium Hunter Valley wine. Guests will vote for their preferred dish at the conclusion of the lunch.

The chefs involved in the 2021 Food Fight are Mitchell Beswick (Muse Restaurant), Alex Prichard (Icebergs Dining Room and Bar), Sam Alexander (Yellow Billy Restaurant) and Andrew Wandless (Una Más – Coogee Pavilion).

See full story

28th April 2021

FOOD & WINE - Wednesday March 24, 2021 By Lisa Rockman

Talent runs in family

Matthew Mirosevich is the winner of this year’s Brett Graham Scholarship. The Signal Box chef cooked off against fellow finalists Jayden Dann (EXP. Restaurant) and Samuel McKinnon (Muse Restaurant) last Wednesday at TAFE NSW Hamilton ……..

Mirosevich has worked in several high-profile restaurants - including Restaurant Mason and Quay Restaurant - and is passionate about Japanese cuisine, butchery and breaking down whole carcasses. He says he would like to work in London and "see where that takes him", and eventually return to his home town of Newcastle to open his own restaurant.

Big brother George had this to say when I asked him (tongue in cheek) if he had taught Matthew everything he knows. “I can’t say I’ve taught him everything he knows, he’s had some great mentors along the way. That’s not to say there haven’t been lots of ‘after service calls’ for advice or to blow off some steam” George replied.

“I’m very proud of Matthew and his commitment to the scholarship, I’ve had the pleasure of watching him grow into a more mature, considerate and well-rounded chef the past eight months while working at Signal Box.

“This year I was able to see a different side of Matthew who proved that he has learned what it takes to win the scholarship, looking past what was directly in front of him and having eyes for the rest of the kitchen”.

Link to Newcastle Herald Full Article

NEWCASTLE LIVE Friday 19th March 2021

Apprentice chef Matthew Mirosevich takes out 2020 Brett Graham Scholarship

Apprentice chef Matthew Mirosevich is bound for London after taking out top honours in the 2020 Brett Graham Scholarship.

Shortlisted from a group of seven apprentice chefs, Matthew was joined by fellow finalists Jayden Dann from EXP Restaurant and Samuel McKinnon from Muse Restaurant at a final cook-off showdown at Hamilton TAFE this week where the hopefuls were tasked with designing and cooking a menu based on ingredients selected by Brett Graham.

And in the end, it was Matthew’s entree of beetroot salad with a whipped onion, pancetta and fennel goat’s curd, a chicken ballotine main and prune and custard tart with cardamom and orange zest ice cream that won the judges hearts and palettes.

“It’s just amazing,” Matthew said of his win. “It’s just such a great foot in the door,” Matthew, who is currently learning his trade at The Signal Box said.

The scholarship, a collaboration between the Hunter TAFE Foundation and the Hunter Culinary Association is names after one of TAFE NSW’s most successful alumni and former Novocastrian Brett Graham.

Link to Newcastle Live Full Article