IN THE MEDIA: Newcastle Herald Food & Wine

Wednesday November 4, 2026

LISA ROCKMAN

NAIL-BITINGCOOK-OFF

Two apprentice chefs, Asher Haddleton-Burgess and Aaron Karanikolas (The Cowrie Restaurant), have been named joint winners of the 2026 Brett Graham Scholarship.

Judges Richard Ransom (TAFE NSW), Troy Rhoades-Brown (MuseRestaurant), Hunter Culinary Association co-founder Andy Wright and previous Brett Graham winner Ashleigh Handsaker could not separate the two chefs in an unprecedented final cook-off at TAFE NSW Hamilton on October 27.

In a hastily convened side meeting, Hunter Culinary Association agreed to fund a second prize. Each apprentice now receives a prize valued at $10,000 towards a placement at The Ledbury in London, the three-Michelin-star restaurant led by Newcastle-born chef Brett Graham.

A partnership between Hunter Culinary Association, TAFE NSW and the Hunter TAFE Foundation, the annual scholarship has sent a generation of apprentices into one of the world's most acclaimed kitchens and brought them home to lead the region's own.

"Twenty-four years and 25 scholars on, the proof is in the kitchens of our region. Brett Graham Scholars go to London as apprentices and come home as leaders," said Hunter Culinary Association chair Gus Maher.

Katinka Xylia Breese (Roundhouse at Crystalbrook Kingsley) was the runner-up.

Two front-of-house scholarships were also awarded on the night. Kiah Larrigo of Gather Restaurant at Rydges Hunter Valley received the Scarborough Wine Co. Front of House Scholarship, and Hannah Illek from The Cowrie Restaurant at Terrigal was awarded the Rising Star Front of House Scholarship.