Sharpen your knives! The Hunter Valley will soon be holding its incredibly popular Food Fight. It’s the 13th time the Hunter Culinary Association has organized this event and believe me when I say it’s the hottest ticket in town.
I had the privilege of attending last year’s Food Fight and it was a long, exciting day with great food and wine, an amazing camaraderie amongst chefs and industry folk, and a buzz to see funds being raised for an industry that, more than ever, can do with our support.
Held annually (except during Covid), Food Fight is the Hunter Culinary Association’s signature event, raising funds for the non-profit organization through tickets sold and an auction of amazing prizes.
Up to 350 people attend the event, which goes something like this…
Two highly regarded chefs from outside the region take on two top names from the Hunter, with each chef responsible for one of four lunch courses. The audience is asked to vote on their favourite dish, without knowing which chef has prepared which course.
Last year, it was Sydney chefs Jason Dean (O Bar & Dining) and Sarah Knights (ex-Automata) going neck and neck with The Flotilla (Newcastle) chef, Jake Deluca, and Muse Kitchen (Pokolbin) chef, Richmond Rodrigues.
Jake Deluca was voted the winner in a very close contest with his second course dish of BBQ octopus, smoked bone marrow, potato foam, gremolata & crispy eschalots. The dish was paired with First Creek 2021 Classic Chardonnay.
The association gets great support from its wine partners, First Creek Wines, Margan Wines, Peter Drayton Wines, Thomas Wines, and Usher Tinkler Wines.
This time around, the ‘big smoke’ is Newcastle, with Apé Yakitori Bar & Restaurant chef Nicolas Pedemonte and Crystalbrook Kingsley/Roundhouse Restaurant chef Matthew Smith vying for the audience vote alongside the Hunter Valley’s Mitchell Beswick (Muse Restaurant) and Sam Alexander (Yellow Billy Restaurant).
The competition will be held on Tuesday, June 25, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, a sprawling wine-country resort which I can recommend both for the spaciousness of its rooms and its relaxed ambience.
Hunter Culinary Association chairman, Gus Maher, says the Food Fight rules of engagement are to “cook great food and have fun”.
“It’s a super event for our region and the hospitality industry at large, bringing camaraderie and talent together in a way that makes us as an association so proud of what we do to promote and nurture young hospitality industry talent through our extensive suite of scholarships,” he said.
Among the scholarships the association offers is the prestigious Brett Graham Scholarship established in 2003 in partnership with TAFE NSW.
The scholarship honours one of the Hunter region’s most successful alumni, Brett Graham, who did his apprenticeship at Scratchleys in Newcastle before moving to Sydney to work with Liam Tomlin at the highly acclaimed Banc Restaurant. During his time at Banc, he was awarded the Josephine Pignolet Young Chef of the Year Award, which resulted in his move to the UK. There he became head chef of two Michelin-star London restaurant, The Ledbury.
Twelve competitors contested the 2023 Brett Graham Scholarship, with Nicholas Smith from Saddles at Mount White awarded the $10,000 package of a trip to London and an opportunity to work with Brett Graham at The Ledbury.
Brett Graham continues to be a strong supporter of the Hunter Culinary Association, appearing at last year’s Food Fight by Zoom from London, and donating some of the auction prizes. Lunch with Brett and a private visit to his deer park in the English countryside, along with dinner at The Ledbury and London’s only Michelin-star pub, Harwood Arms (owned by Brett), were among the nine amazing experiences up for grabs at last year’s auction.
The energy in the room at last year’s Food Fight was palpable, and I highly recommend this event for anyone keen to support the culinary arts and nurture young talent.
Food Fight tickets are $175 for members, $195 for non-member, $50 for apprentices, and $1600 for a member table of 10.
Bookings: hunterculinary.com.au
All photos © Elfes Images supplied by Hunter Culinary Association and used with permission.
Christine attended the 2023 Food Fight as a guest of the Hunter Culinary Association.
