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This weekend Gawthrop swaps cooking for cricket as he returns for University in the Newcastle District Cricket Association first grade competition.
However, the 28-year-old won't just be back in the middle throughout 2019-2020. He's resumed captaincy duties at the Sea Dragons after three campaigns in charge prior to having last season off.
And although there's still a few celebrity chef commitments on the horizon this summer, Gawthrop is looking forward to don the sporting uniform again and has a different kind of title on the menu.
"I missed it last season," Gawthrop told the Newcastle Herald.
"I got three of four games in towards the end, but I'm looking forward to playing again.
"And I'm back taking the reins this summer which will be another challenge.
"We've had a good team now for a few years, but we haven't been able to win the big one.
"I know the boys are keen to get that one."
Gawthrop trades places with former Big Bash League player and Sydney first grader Andrew Harriott, who is set to continue at University for a second season but not as skipper this time around.
The Sea Dragons have retained most of their existing squad outside of first-round opponent Nathan Hudson, now in charge of Waratah-Mayfield, and Cardiff-Boolaroo recruit Adam Winchester.
Regulars such as Luke Bird, Liam McKechnie and James Rushford will be key to University's starting XI while Michael Radnidge is likely to line up at some stage.
Wicketkeeper Sam Reading and opening bowler Daniel Rea also return to the Callaghan campus while teenager Mitchell Lole has recovered from stress fractures in his back that sidelined the all-rounder for a good chunk of 2018-2019.
"He [Lole] is back to 100 percent fitness and I'm expecting big things from him this year," Gawthrop said.
Elsewhere and the Bills brothers, Shannon and Aaron, bolster Wests' stocks having arrived from Cardiff during the off-season while Belmont have scored the services of Kent county squad member Marcus O'Riordan.
Hamilton-Wickham's Jack Hartigan and City's Aidan Cahill are currently away in Mackay representing ACT-NSW Country at the men's Under-17 National Championships.