EVENTS
Hunter Culinary Association delivers a superior culinary experience across its annual calendar of events for its members and guests.
Each year, we organise two seasonal lunches, an autumn and spring lunch. The lunches begin with a workshop aimed at educating apprentices, members and guests about the new trends, produce and technology being used in the industry and our events consistently attract some of Australia’s finest guest chefs.
It is an opportunity for guest chefs to share their knowledge, talent, experience and passion with local apprentices, members and guests.
The annual Food Fight is the signature calendar event organised each year by Hunter Culinary Association. Four chefs, each at the top of their game, will prepare one lunch course. Each course will be matched with a Hunter Valley wine, and guests will be tasked with voting for the dish they preferred at the end of the gourmet feast. See previous Food Fight themes & Chefs at the bottom of this page.
Hunter Culinary Association also runs competitions, scholarships and award programs as well as Produce Tours and workshops.
Coming Events
THE GREAT NEWCASTLE WAITER’S RACE
A Signature Event of Newcastle Food Month
1 April 2026 | 5-6pm The Station Newcastle
Hunter hospo - this is your moment.
The First Creek X Hunter Culinary Association Great Newcastle Waiter’s Race is officially open for registrations.
Whether you’re a butcher, a baker even a winemaker – a chef, a sous, a seasoned floor professional or a rising star behind the tray or pans, this is your chance to represent your venue, your team and your city in the first ever Great Newcastle Waiter’s race.
The very first event in this year’s Newcastle Food Month program, and a celebration of all things hospitality in our region, we are offering you the chance to win a name for yourself and your venue and join in the celebration of the month-long program which supports our industry.
The HCA together with First Creek are producing this event, and are offering all members of the Hunter Culinary subsidised entry fees to participate.
The word on the street is that some teams have already begun training, and there’s a few antsy winemakers just coming out of vintage up for a win, so start training people.
But first sign up here… Individuals (must walk the approx. 1km course carrying a tray of beverages to win), Teams of 4 share the 1km circuit with 4 legs of between 200-300m each to cross the finishing line first.
There’s an afterparty too – at Signal Box, and your entry includes one complimentary glass of First Creek Wine for every entrant, on presentation of their wristband. Or book a ticket to the Signal Box 2-hour canape party for just $50 here.
Registration costs
Individual $25 (HCA Members venue staff only $20 – note your venue on registration)
Team $95 (HCA Members only $80)
Registrations close 23 March 2026
HUNTER CULINARY AUTUMN SEASONAL LUNCH
Tuesday 24th March 2026, Mount View Estate
Celebrating our 20th anniversary will be this special event in the form of a Founders Lunch, honouring Robert Molines, Andy Wright, Nick Vivian, Jamie Hartcher (ex Exec Chef at Peppers Chez Pok) and Brad Teale (ex Exec Chef at Esca Bimbadgen, as our Founders and Guests of honour.
Canapes will commence at 11.30am and then a 3 course lunch with premium Hunter Valley wines.
Tickets are limited, so we are having a members only release until February 11th and then open to non-members.
Tickets $140 members, $170 non members and $50 apprentices
Save the date - FOOD FIGHT
Tuesday 16th June 2026 at Rydges Hunter Valley Resort
Recent Events
HCA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - Wednesday 10th December 2025 - Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort
Our AGM was held on Wednesday at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort. Thank you to the Committee and members who attendied.
We are pleased to report on another great year for your association and here is the Chairmans Report. Please make contact with us if you have any questions.
FOOD FIGHT PREVIOUS CHEFS
FOOD FIGHT 2025 - HUNTER ALL STARS Kyle Whitbourne, Steve Scott, Rafael Tonon & Josh Hannan
FOOD FIGHT 2024 - KEEPING IT LOCAL, VALLEY VS NEWY Mitch Beswick, Sam Alexander, Matt Smith & Nicolas Pedemonte
FOOD FIGHT 2023 - 12TH ANNUAL Richmond Rodrigues, Jake Deluca, Sarah Knights & Jason Dean
FOOD FIGHT 2022 - HOSPITALITY FIGHTS BACK MK2 Joshua Raine, Alexis Besseau, Michael Portley & Thomas Waite
FOOD FIGHT 2020 & 2021 Unfortunately cancelled due to Covid 19
FOOD FIGHT 2019 - 10 DELICIOUS YEARS Thomas Boyd, Troy Crisante, Eilish Maloney & George Mirosevich
FOOD FIGHT 2018 - INDIVIDUAL BATTLE Joel Bickford, Mitch Orr, Frank Fawkner & Hamish Watt
FOOD FIGHT 2017 - TOP GUN Sean Townsend, Aaron Ward, Rob Kabboord & Gareth Williams
FOOD FIGHT 2016 - TEAM BRETT GRAHAM Josh Gregory, Troy Rhoades-Brown, Chris Thornton & Garreth Robbs VS TEAM BANC Warren Turnbull, Colin Fassnidge, Matthew Kemp & Justin North.
FOOD FIGHT 2015 - TEAM HUNTER Emerson Rodriguez, Troy Rhoades-Brown & Michael Robinson VS SOUTHERN NSW James Viles, Ben Willis & Sean McConnell,
FOOD FIGHT 2014 - BATTLE OF THE SEXES Sophie Hedges, Carla Jones & Rebecca Kaye VS Emerson Rodriguez, Michael Robinson & James Viles
FOOD FIGHT 2013 - HUNTER REGION MASTERS Robert Molines, Troy Rhoades-Brown & Michael Robinson VS YOUNG GUNS Frank Fawkner, Thomas Robinson & Mark Bennett
FOOD FIGHT 2012 - HUNTER REGION Troy Rhoades-Brown, Tim Montgomery, Emerson Rodriguez & Jamie Ryan VS SYDNEY Colin Fassnidge, Matt Kemp, Justin North & Warren Turnbull
FOOD FIGHT 2011 - HUNTER VALLEY Troy Rhoades-Brown, Emerson Rodriguez, Michael Bolam & Josh Davidson VS NEWCASTLE Glenn Thompson, Tony Harrison, Tim Montgomery & Jamie Ryan
FOOD FIGHT 2010 - BLUE TEAM Nick Vivian, Glenn Thomson & Troy Rhoades-Brown VS RED TEAM Andy Wright, Ian Atkinson & Andrew Clarke Unfortunately no team photos from this first year.