A wine fanatic, a rockstar, and an award-winning events producer walk into a bar ... and walk out with a new and exciting food and wine experience for Newcastle to enjoy.
Naturellement.
This interactive, two-day culinary event is the love child of Chris Joannou, Mike Bennie and Kristy Austin.
Silverchair bass guitarist turned hospitality player Joannou will host Naturellement at his flagship venue, The Edwards, at Newcastle West on April 17 and 18.
Wine guru Bennie is the co-founder of P&V Wine & Liquor Merchants, a renowned food and wine journalist and a wine judge who personally curated former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's wine cellar.
Bennie has invited more than 30 of his closest wine, brewing and distilling mates to The Edwards for Naturellement.
Award-winning producer Kristy Austin is the driving force behind some of the world's most acclaimed arts and culinary festivals, including the Taste Festivals (Australia and Asia), Margaret River Gourmet Escape, and Adelaide Fringe.
"Naturellement is set to be an exclusive event for those who love to experience food and wine in a creative and interactive way," she said.
"You can expect the unexpected when it comes to what's on offer, with Mike curating an exceptional list of producers, masterclasses with wine makers that dive deeper into some of the best drops, and a rotating bank of some of Newcastle's best chefs collaborating on epic menus for each session."
The masterclasses include: Introduction to Natural Wine; Orange Wine Party 101; Pet Nat Party; and Wild Style Wines.
Bennie has used his nose and his palate to bring together a unique selection of wines, spirits and brews.
"Natural, organic, sustainable and quirky is what you will find at this event at The Edwards across the weekend," he said.
"We want guests to walk away passionate about exploring the not-so-beaten track on their wine journey, having met the makers who are driving the natural wine movement."
Naturellements makes its debut on April 17 and 18, with two sessions daily: 11am to 2pm, and 3pm to 6pm. Tickets are strictly limited, and on sale soon. Watch this space.
Read more:Chris Joannou assembles his 'dream team' at The Edwards
Cakeboi takes off
Reece Hignell officially opened the doors to his Hamilton bakery, Cakeboi, last Saturday - and sold out of cakes within two hours. He sold out again on Monday.
Read more: Reece Hignell's Cakeboi comes to life
Eat 'til you drop
The Newcastle Show is back in 2021 and, with it, what has become Australia's biggest eating competition.
Nicholas Niven, the show's event planner, said 10 eateries were hosting qualifying events, as opposed to four in 2020.
They are: DoughHeads (four "Shownuts" in a speed eating format); Rascal (three Rascal Burgers, speed eating); Harbour Bar (3kg burger); Criniti's (1m pizza, speed eating); Sherwood Coffee Bar (two Reuben toasties, speed eating); Newy Fried Chicken (four off-menu Hot XXX chicken wings, speed eating); Mayfield West Kebabs & Charcoal Chicken (1.8kg mixed snack pack, speed eating); Smokin Hot N Saucy (2kg Smoking Hot Monster Cheeseburger, speed eating); Miller's Pie & Sandwich Bar (meatpies in a capacity eating format); Taco Locato (mixed tacos, capacity eating format, three minutes); and Chilli Factory (five rounds, going up on the Scoville scale to Californian Reaper).
"I messaged the governing body of Competitive Eating Australia and asked them if this format had ever been done before, and they said no, and they said that at the moment we're Australia's largest eating competition," he said.
"We offer something different by bringing together all these food venues and hosting the finalists at our event."
The qualifying rounds are in place to guarantee that only "the best of the best" competitors take to the stage for the grand finals during the Show.
Preparations for eating competitions, Niven said, vary.
"Newy's Dapper Bloke, who used to be a competitive eater - he'd do water loading before a competition to stretch out his stomach," he explained.
"Others pay attention to the position they assume when eating - it's actually better if they do it on their knees because it allows them more room in their stomachs.
"Many also chew gum as much as possible to reduce jaw fatigue. These are the lengths some competitors go to."
Tickets to The Newcastle Show (March 5 to 7) are on sale now at newcastleshow.com.au.
Newcastle Food Month
Newcastle, you are in for a treat this April.
The inaugural Newcastle Food Month already has more than 20 events planned, starring 90 or so businesses and a who's who of the region's culinary scene.
The official event schedule will be revealed in Saturday's Newcastle Herald, but here's a teaser or two to whet the appetite.
There will be masterclasses, seasonal dinners and lunches, mini festivals, opera, and a grand finale event that will put the city on the world foodie map.
Read all about it on Saturday, February 13.
The Newcastle Herald is a sponsor of the event, and the exclusive print partner.
Newcastle Food Month is the brainchild of Gus and Louise Maher, of Newcastle Events.
Green Caffeen launch
Swap-and-go coffee cup scheme Green Caffeen has launched a partnership with Hunter Joint Organisation to make it easier for locals to enjoy a takeaway coffee, without the eco guilt.
Seven councils in the region are participating: Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Singleton, Maitland, Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter.
Green Caffeen's cups are made from recycled materials. Once a cup reaches the end of its viable life, Green Caffeen collects it and recycles it into a new cup.
"The Hunter Region is going circular - we're working towards transitioning to a circular economy to reduce waste to landfill and innovate in industry," said Bob Pynsent, chair of Hunter Joint Organisation and Cessnock City Council mayor.
Consumers download the Green Caffeen app and sign up, then get their reusable cup from a participating cafe.
If you return it within 30 days, it's free to use.
For more information visit greencaffeen.com.au.
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