Records were broken at the 15th annual Food Fight in the Hunter Valley yesterday.
Not only was the all-time attendance record smashed, the end result of the annual cook-off was the closest to date. And, while the final tally is yet to be confirmed, the live auction looks likely to break records too.
Four hundred people attended this year's sold-out event at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley where four former Food Fight winners went head-to-head in the kitchen to win the hearts (and stomachs) of diners. Hunter Valley chefs Troy Rhoades-Brown, Michael Robinson, Tim Montgomery and Chris Thornton were all smiles before the cook-off, but the gloves came off when they entered the kitchen.
All four chefs anonymously prepared one dish each, paired with a premium Hunter Valley wine. Diners then voted for their favourite dish.
When the votes were tallied, Montgomery emerged victorious. The executive chef at The Maryville Tavern and The Prince of Merewether (and co-owner of Rascal) prepared dessert: an Altara Single Origin Chocolate Marquise St Honoré with choux, chestnut and cassis.
The first course, prepared by Rhoades-Brown, was a Rocky Point cobia accompanied by purple daikon, Granny Smith apple, finger lime, Avruga caviar, and a refined sake-and-Meyer lemon cream.
The second course, prepared by Thornton, was smoked beef cheek kromeski with green peppers, cheese mousse and fire-roasted tomato.
The third course, prepared by Robinson, was aged duck paired with onion, blackberry and Sarladaise potato.
The Food Fight is Hunter Culinary Association's major annual fundraising event, with ticket sales and a live auction helping to fund scholarships and support for emerging hospitality talent. But the culinary showdown was extra special this year: it was also a celebration of the association's 20th anniversary and attracted a who's who of the region's food and wine industry.
"Fifteen years of the HCA Food Fight and 20 of the [Hunter Culinary] association is a genuine milestone for this region. Bringing back these four chefs is our way of honouring the people who helped shape the region and the event," association chair Gus Maher said in the lead-up to the event.
He also predicted it would be the "most storied Food Fight yet".
The winners of this year's Outstanding Contribution Award, Vicki Woods AM and Bruce Woods, were recognised for their "unwavering dedication, passion and leadership" and for "helping to shape and elevate [the Hunter Region's] vibrant culinary community". They owned and operated Bushrangers Bar & Brasserie in Largs for 30 years and have both made a significant, lasting impact on both the Hunter Culinary Association and the broader hospitality industry.
Unfortunately, the couple were both battling illness and appeared at the lunch via a video link.
The next generation of culinary excellence was also recognised at Food Fight 2026. Emerging Apprentice scholarships were presented to Marley Cullen (Jimmy Joans); Cooper Brady (Little Beach Boathouse); Esteban Cervera (Altitude Restaurant at the Shangri-La Sydney); and Crystal Thwaite (Iron Gate Kitchen).
Hunter Region apprentice chefs were also given the opportunity to create and serve canapes prior to the Food Fight showdown. They were: Tynan Everett, EXP. restaurant (Korean beef tartare with kimchi, yolk jam, shiso and finger lime); Noah Garbutt, Humbug (yuzu-cured kingfish with nori, avocado and rice crackers); Samuel Knowles, Amandas on the Edge (smoked chicken and blue cheese tart with caramelised onion, pickled pear and aged parmesan); and Jonah Quinn, Jimmy Joans (onion bhaji with mango chutney and lime pickle).
Hit 106.9FM presenter Jess Farchione hosted Food Fight 2026 with chefs Justin North, Colin Fassnidge and Matt Kemp.
