In 2014 both the Young Restaurateur of the Year and Young Winemaker of the Year awards were awarded to bright young talent from the Hunter Valley.
Appetite for Excellence 2014 Young Restaurateur of the Year, Chef Troy Rhodes-Brown owner of Muse Restaurant and Muse Kitchen has already given us his scoop for a Weekend Away in the Hunter Valley. Perfect for a Sydney day outing or weekend escape.
The historic Hunter Valley wine region is home to more than 150 wineries and at just a two hour drive north of Sydney is an ideal short break destination. Good news! This June for the whole month the region celebrates with Hunter Valley Food and Wine.
The Dynamic Duo
Chef Troy Rhodes-Brown and 2014 Young Winemaker of the Year Gwyn Olsen of Briar Ridge Wines are joining forces for the pièce de résistance of the June festival. We're always up for giving young Australian talent our support, for purely unselfish reasons, of course. Not to mention the personal pleasure that can be derived at the exciting 4 course lunch designed by Troy matched with fabulous Briar Ridge wines by Gwyn (all-inclusive price of $125 per person).
Sunday 14th June from 12 noon at Muse Restaurant at Hungerford Hill.
More a cheeky peek at what's on for Hunter Valley Wine & Food Month...
Food Fight
We are HUGE supporters of this event which nurtures the talents of young chefs in the Hunter Valley region. Highly recommended, we've driven up for the lunch every one of the last three years.
Come and view the showdown as the Hunter Region takes on the Southern Highlands the best chefs from each of these Culinary Regions will battle it out in the annual culinary Food Fight. Hosted by celebrity Chef Matt Kemp. This fundraiser kicks off the celebrations of the month, and is a lunch not to be missed. Worth a day trip not only for the food challenge and the matching wine, but also for the MC banter by Kempey ($150 per person).
Tuesday 2nd June at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley
Burning of the Barrel
Join Glandore Estate when the sun begins to set as they light the flame on the annual Burning of the Barrel bonfire! Where one, poor old unsuspecting empty wine barrel will be placed upon the pyre and set aflame just so you can have a bloody good night out! ($70 per person).
Saturday 6th June at Glandore Estate
The Art of Gnocchi
Il Cacciatore invites you to participate in a fun, hands-on gnocchi making class followed by a two course lunch with a small group of like-minded folk who also enjoy Italian food, wine, a fun time and don’t mind getting down and dirty (floury)! (All inclusive $115 per person)
Saturday 6th 13th and 27th June at Il Cacciatore Restaurant
The Original Margan 100 Metre Meal
The original Margan 100 Metre Meal is back! Enjoy the estate grown Suffolk lamb served with heirloom garden vegetables and accompanied with a glass of White Label Barbera. Everything is grown on site within 100m of the Restaurant! ($50 per person)
Daily throughout June at Margan Estate
A full calendar of Hunter Valley WIne & Food Month events is available at winecountry.com.au
