Great Barrier Feast on Hamilton Island

Ben Shewry, 26 - 28 November 2010

The Age Good Food Guide's 2010 Chef of the Year!

Ben Shewry from Attica Restaurant

Celebrated chef, Ben Shewry, will host the third event in Hamilton Island’s Great Barrier Feast Series over the weekend of 26 – 28 November. Born and raised in rural North Taranaki on the rugged west coast of the North Island, New Zealand, Ben currently lives on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria, close to the sea and an abundance of edible wild plants and vegetables. He harvests this natural local produce daily by hand for the menu at his restaurant, Attica, in Melbourne, which was awarded Restaurant of the year in 2008 by The Age Good Food Guide.

In January 2010, Ben Shewry became the first ever Victorian Chef to present his cuisine at Madrid Fusion in Spain and recent accolades include being awarded 2 chefs hats in The Age 2009 Good Food Guide, being listed on the (USA) To Go List awards as one of “20 places that offer the planet's most exciting dining experiences of 2009”, and receiving a 16th ranking out of the top 100 restaurants in Australia in the Australian Gourmet Traveller national restaurant awards in 2008.

The Great Barrier Feast Series consists of three exclusive chef’s table events, being held throughout 2010, 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. Former MasterChef presenter, Sarah Wilson, is emcee for the series and James Halliday is selecting the wines for the year’s events.

The November weekend will take place at Hamilton Island’s luxury property, qualia, and will consist of the following elements:

• A beachside welcome dinner at Pebble Beach, qualia, by the resort’s executive chef, Jane-Therese Mulry. Jane-Therese is herself an acclaimed chef and was appointed Marco Pierre White’s first female Head Chef when she was working in his London kitchens

• An Electrolux Master class, providing exclusive cooking instruction by Shewry

• A Veuve Clicquot Lunch at the Long Pavilion, qualia, offering the opportunity for guests to find out more about the chef

• A showpiece dinner at qualia in which Shewry will take guests through the preparation of his culinary delights directly from the kitchen. This will be visible to guests through a live camera link-up

Welcome Dinner, Friday 26 November, 6.30pm

qualia Executive Chef, Jane-Therese Mulry, is sure to set the standard of the weekend ahead with a degustation menu sourced from local fresh produce. To be held beachside at qualia, Hamilton Island’s premier resort, the evening of culinary delights will be complemented by a stunning Whitsundays backdrop. (Please note the Great Barrier Feast is for guests 18 years and over)

Electrolux Master Class with Ben Shewry, Saturday 27 November, 10.00am

The Electrolux Master Class is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the produce and techniques employed by one of Australia’s top chefs, Ben Shewry. Throughout the two-hour demonstration, guests will be able to ask questions and absorb the opportunity to engage with Ben. (Please note the Great Barrier Feast is for guests 18 years and over)

Veuve Clicquot Lunch, Saturday 27 November, 12.30pm

An intimate lunch featuring Champagne from one of the world’s best Champagne house’s, Veuve Clicquot. Each of Ben Shewry’s courses will feature a glass of Veuve Clicquot, specifically chosen to complement the dish by wine authority James Halliday. (Please note the Great Barrier Feast is for guests 18 years and over)

Showpiece Dinner, Saturday 27 November, 6.30pm

Upon sunset, arrive at Hamilton Island’s premier resort, qualia, where Ben Shewry, with host Sarah Wilson, will take guests through the preparation of a degustation menu directly from the kitchen. This will be visible to guests through a live camera link-up. Each course will be served with a wine selected specifically by wine authority James Halliday. (Please note the Great Barrier Feast is for guests 18 years and over)