THE GUNYAH KITCHEN POSSE EAGER FOR CULINARY SPOTLIGHT

This October, the nation's best regional chefs will compete to win one of Australia's top culinary honours along with an international food trip. Does your region have the produce, the talent and the passion to win this prestigious culinary challenge?

Founded in 1997, the LifeStyle FOOD Channel Australian Regional Culinary Competition is part of Tasting Australia, and is the only competition of its kind, aiming to recognise, develop and promote professional cookery by attracting teams from Australia's regional areas.

The Gunyah Kitchen Posse is a group of chefs from the Gunyah Restaurant, at Paperbark Camp, a unique accommodation experience in Jervis Bay, in the South Coast of New South Wales. The Gunyah Kitchen Posse is excited about the LifeStyle FOOD Channel Australian Regional Culinary Competition seeing it as an opportunity to raise awareness about their group.

“We are looking forward to bringing our usually hidden kitchen life out of curiosity and wonder, and into the spotlight, so people can enrich their appreciation for the food they love to eat,” said Gary Fishwick, Team Captain, The Gunyah Kitchen Posse. 
 
“We at the Gunyah incorporate local produce and native indigenous ingredients in a tranquil treetop setting. We work in the ideal environment surrounded by paperbark trees, and our team is happy and have fun, which shows in the love we put in to our food.”

Teams of trained chefs and apprentices from across Australia are invited to do battle for the region's top culinary honour: the Gold Award for Best Region. As well as gold, silver and bronze awards for Best Region, there are a number of individual awards including Best Apprentice, Best Food and Wine Matching, Best Entree, Best Main Course, and Best Dessert.

Taking place in Adelaide, teams will have a three-hour time limit to create a three-course menu for four people, with an emphasis on the use of regional produce, under the watchful eye of a team of judges consisting of some of Australia's most respected food and drink professionals.

The LifeStyle FOOD Channel, Australia's only television channel totally dedicated to food, is the major sponsor of the Competition.  “There is no other culinary competition in Australia which so perfectly reflects our regional differences,” said Ric Burns, General Manager. 

“The Competition is a terrific opportunity to showcase the best Australia has to offer in food, wine and culinary skill. We are delighted to again be part of this prestigious event and look forward to celebrating the exciting new talent of the 2007 teams.”

The high-profile competition will take place at Adelaide TAFE SA's Regency Campus from Monday to Thursday, October 15 to 18, 2007 with awards presented on the final night of competition at a gala event at the Hyatt Regency Adelaide.

The sixth Tasting Australia event will celebrate the theme of 10 years and growing with eight days of culinary splendour from 13 - 20 October 2007.

Tasting Australia is owned and managed by Events South Australia, a division of the South Australian Tourism Commission.