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Friday 10 September 2010

'Chef of the Year' Cooks up the Next Great Barrier Feast


Celebrated chef, Ben Shewry from Melbourne restaurant Attica who was recently named 'Chef of the Year' by The Age's Good Food Guide 2011, will host Hamilton Island's third event in the Great Barrier Feast series on 26 to 28 November at the world-class luxury resort, qualia.

Over the gourmet weekend, food and wine lovers will enjoy postcard perfect views of the Coral Sea and surrounding Whitsunday Islands whilst enjoying a beachside welcome dinner, a Veuve Clicquot-paired lunch, a cooking master class and a showpiece degustation dinner.

Known for his inventive modern European cuisine, Ben Shewry's self-described 'emo' food is a combination of hand foraged ingredients, traditional flavours and molecular culinary technique. 2010 has been Shewry's year of accolades with him being invited to be the first ever Victorian Chef to present his cuisine at the "Madrid Fusion" in Spain in January and his restaurant Attica ranked 73rd on the San Pellegrino World's 100 Best Restaurants list.

Renowned wine critic, James Halliday will attend and pair wines for the weekend meals including selections from the Robert Oatley Vineyards range. The emcee for the weekend will be former MasterChef presenter, Sarah Wilson.

The November weekend will include the following events:
* Beachside welcome dinner at Pebble Beach, qualia, by the resort's executive chef, Jane-Therese Mulry. Jane-Therese is an acclaimed chef and was appointed Marco Pierre White's first female chef when she was working in his London kitchens.
* Electrolux Master Class, providing an exclusive two-hour cooking instruction by Shewry.
* Veuve Clicquot intimate lunch at the Long Pavilion, qualia, offering guests the opportunity to interact with Shewry.
* Showpiece dinner at qualia in which Shewry will take guests through the preparation of his culinary delights direct from the kitchen. This will be visible to guests through a live camera link-up.

Nicky Oatley, Hamilton Island special events manager, commented, "Ben Shewry's distinctive style, both high-tech and primal has delighted diners from all over the world. We are thrilled to be bringing Shewry to qualia for guests to learn cooking tips from the 'Chef of the Year' and to showcase the Whitsunday's premium local produce."

The Great Barrier Feast series consists of exclusive chef's table events, promising to showcase the finest food and wine within a world class setting. The weekend in November follows the success of the July event which featured acclaimed chef Justin North, and the inaugural March event which was hosted by internationally acclaimed chef, Tetsuya Wakuda.

Luxury Accommodation Packages:
Luxury accommodation packages are being offered for the gourmet weekend and guests can choose between accommodation at the premier luxury resort of qualia or the boutique Beach Club. For qualia packages, prices start from $1,550 per person, based on twin share *. Beach Club packages are from $1,195 per person, based on twin share*. For more information about this event, please contact the Luxury Specialist team by email: luxuryspecialist@hamiltonisland.com.au , tel: 1300 780 959 or www.hamiltonisland.com.au/feast/

Group accommodation options include the new Hamilton Island Yacht Club Villas, a collection of private waterfront four-bedroom, four-bathroom Villas ideal for a group getaway of up to eight people with family and friends (the Great Barrier Feast is available to guests 18 years and over). Complimentary concierge services available for guests include priority tee times at the new Hamilton Island Golf Club and bookings at Spa qualia (exclusive facilities available by invitation-only for non-qualia guests).

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