IN THE MEDIA: Newcastle Herald

FOOD & WINE - LISA ROCKMAN Wednesday June 25, 2025

Victory is sweet for Josh Hannan

Yesterday's HCA FoodFight chefs, left to right, Rafael Tonon, Kyle Whitbourne, Josh Hannan and Steve Scott. Picture by Dominique Cherry

Josh Hannan is the winner of this year's Hunter Culinary Association Food Fight. The head chef at EXP Restaurant was in fine form at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley yesterday, impressing a crowd of close to 300 with his dessert: a citron tart with yuzu, lemon myrtle, koji and Pukara Estate olive oil.

This year's Food Fight, Hunter Culinary Association's (HCA) signature fund-raising event, was an all-Hunter affair with a "refined bistro classics" theme. Each chef anonymously prepared one course, and diners voted for their favourite.

Josh was up against Steve Scott (The Del), Rafael Tonon (Alfie's, Frenchie) and Kyle Whitbourne. He trained at Sydney's Pony Dining and went on to work at the Bentley Group's restaurants, where he explored vegan cuisine at Yellow and refined his pastry techniques at Bentley. Moving to the Hunter Region in 2022, Josh quickly stepped into a leadership role at EXP, where he helped them earn a Good Food Guide Chef's Hat and won an Eustralis Pastry Scholarship.

The first course at yesterday's Food Fight was a Caesar Salad with smoked crocodile, tomato xo, buttermilk and cured yolk (cooked by Kyle). The second course was a Surf and Turf with chicken, scallop, shiitake and kombu beurre blanc (Rafael), while course number three was a Wellington with Alpine Venison, duxelle, blackberry and celeriac (Steve).

Wines from De Iuliis, First Creek, Margan, Peter Drayton, Scarborough and Andrew Thomas accompanied each course. Matt Kemp and Colin Fassnidge (or the "odd couple", as HCA chairman Gus Maher referred to them) hosted the event and were awarded this year's HCA Outstanding Contribution Award.

"I shudder to think what it would cost for these two celebrated chefs, or their like, if we were seeking their services through a talent agency, and they should never underestimate our gratitude and recognition of that fact," Gus said. "With one now a high-profile media personality, and the other continuing as one of Australia's highest profile, celebrated and sought-after chefs we are truly honoured that you still grace our humble portals.

"The Food Fight is always a highlight on the Hunter Culinary Association calendar. "We are always so appreciative of the four chefs who give their time, knowing that they spearhead our major fundraiser, ensuring that our suite of scholarships for young and aspiring apprentice chefs, and other hospitality industry staff, are possible."

Hunter Culinary Association is a not-for profit guided by a group of industry professionals who volunteer their time to support and promote the region and give back to the industry that they are so passionate about. As well as create new opportunities for its members, HCA nurtures our region's talent through initiatives including the Brett Graham Scholarship, front-of-house scholar ships, apprentice scholarships, the Eustralis Pastry Chef Award, apprentice cooking competitions, front-of-house workshops and produce tours.