Today the Hunter’s culinary not-for-profit body, known for producing one of the region’s hottest foodie events – the Food Fight, has unveiled its four Chefs for 2024. The four chefs, all at the top of the culinary chain will vie for the consumer’s vote at the popular lunch in the Hunter Valley in June.
The Hunter Culinary Association has curated the Food Fight now 13 times, and year after year, it’s the hottest ticket in town - think Taylor Swift like ticketing challenges where if you’re not at your desk at 12pm on 7 May, you do run the risk of going hungry.
The biggest day in the region’s culinary calendar is set down for Tuesday 25th June at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, and this year sees four local chefs going head-to-head for the title at this consumer-votes event which always sells out at 350.
Chairman of the Hunter Culinary Association Gus Maher, today announced the four competing chefs in the all-Hunter showdown will be:-
- Mitchell Beswick of the Two Hatted Muse Restaurant - Pokolbin
- Sam Alexander of the One Hat Yellow Billy Restaurant - Pokolbin
- Matthew Smith from 5 Star Crystalbrook Kingsley - Roundhouse Restaurant - Newcastle
- Nicolas Pedemonte from the all new Apé Yakitori Bar & Restaurant - Newcastle
Gus Maher commented on the line up for 2024 “These guys are all highly accomplished chefs, who have all contributed to the rise and rise of the Hunter culinary scene over the past few years. These chefs all understand the Food Fight rules of engagement – cook great food and have fun! Like always, this day is going to be great, but this year it is adding a bit more of local competition with two chefs from the Valley and two from the big smoke in Newcastle all vying for the title.”
As always, each course which is prepared by one chef and kept a secret to the diners, will be accompanied by great Hunter Valley wines produced by the Hunter Culinary Associations Wine Partners, First Creek Wines, Margan Wines, Peter Drayton Wines, Thomas Wines and Usher Tinkler Wines.
“We urge foodies, consumers, the industry and our supporters to book early and dig deep, as this event is the annual fundraiser that we have developed over the years to largely fund the enormous number of initiatives we, the HCA, implement to nurture culinary talent in our region, ensuring that we keep great people employed in the fantastic food scene that we have together grown. This year it’s a great example of this talent that has been nurtured in our region, and a great reason to come along and support these four great chefs and the restaurants they represent.” adds Gus.
Details are –
- Tuesday June 25th
- Rydges Resort - Hunter Valley
- 11am Canapes for a 11.30am sit down lunch
- Dress - Smart Casual
- Tickets $175 member, $195 non-member, $50 apprentices and $1600 for a member table of 10
- Click here to book
Photographs of the 4 competing chefs will be available after 15 May, images from the 2023 event can be found here. For further information or to arrange a media interview please contact Kylie White – White Ink – Wine + Life Publicity kyliewhite@whiteink.com.au
