Well, MasterChef is over, and what a season it was. New judges, an all-star line up of contestants and a COVID-19 lockdown combined to make the cooking show a ratings hit for the 10 Network.
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Emelia Jackson won the MasterChef Australia crown in an emotional final cook-off against her close friend Laura Sharrad.
What are we going to watch now? The two final episodes won their time slots in Newcastle by a country mile. Nationally, Monday night's MasterChef Australia - The Winner Announced episode attracted 2 million viewers (combined metro and regional). It was the number one show of the night with its biggest audience since 2016.
Newcastle's own Reece Hignell finished fifth this season and was one of the reasons this season was so popular. Viewers loved him. The all-star format with familiar faces was also a winner, and the judges a breath of fresh air. The lovely Melissa Leong, in particular, was an asset.
"I love Emelia and I am very happy for her win, she really deserves it," Hignell told Food & Wine.
"Emelia has helped me grow Cakeboi into a business and has been somewhat of a business mentor for me (she has her own successful cake business). I am really glad a cake maker could go onto MasterChef and show the level of diversity Emelia has, then win the show."
Jackson is a former marketing co-ordinator from Melbourne who opened her own cake business (Emelia Jackson Cake Design) after finishing third on season six of MasterChef Australia in 2014.
Bao at East Maitland
Bao Brothers Eatery is branching out to Stockland Green Hills at East Maitland. Co-owners David Griffin and Nathan Martin had this to say:
"COVID-19 saw the closure of After Dark, the creation of Bao at Home Kits, Bao Brothers' personal delivery service and a pop-up eatery at the original Bao (701 Hunter Street). Moving forward, we have decided to move out of 701 Hunter Street, Newcastle West. This means the permanent closure of After Dark and the current pop-up downstairs. It's been an amazing journey with many memories shared within those walls, however it's time to shift our focus and ensure every single person in this country (and beyond) can enjoy the Bao Brothers experience."
The new Bao Brothers venture at East Maitland will officially open on August 8. Trading hours will be Sunday to Wednesday, 11am to 5pm; and Thursday to Saturday, 11am to 9pm.
Dietary requirements? Sorted
Cafe Napoleon has opened on King Street at Warners Bay, below Brown Sugar. Owners Leisl and Jess have been blown away by the support they have received since opening just five days ago.
"I live in Toronto and this is my first cafe," Jess told Food & Wine.
"I'm a qualified chef and have worked in hospitality since I was 16. It's very different working for yourself instead of working for others, and it has been my and my partner's passion, so we thought we'd do it together."
The food offering is predominately vegan and vegetarian and caters for specific dietary requirements but "it's a mixed menu with normal menu items as well", she said.
Gill to fin trailblazer
Josh Niland, who was raised in Maitland and started his chef career in Newcastle, is writing another book. His first - The Whole Fish Cookbook - won the prestigious James Beard book of the year award (which had never been won by an Australian before). Niland runs the hatted Saint Peter and the Fish Butchery in Paddington.
Cafe at lake resort
Cams Wharf Cafe has opened at Raffertys Resort, Cams Wharf. It services the resort and is also open to the public seven days, 8am to 8pm. Delivery is offered from 5pm to 8pm to residents of Cams Wharf, Murrays Beach, Nords Wharf and Catherine Hill Bay.
A Wickham favourite
The Flotilla at Wickham is getting ready to re-open its doors on August 1. Bookings are now being taken for two dinner sittings, Wednesday to Saturday, plus a Sunday lunch. Bookings are for the dining room and Chef Counter, with the deck reserved for walk-ins. A booking guarantee of $50 per person is required. Funds will only be verified, not charged to your card.
New chef at Gunyah
The Gunyah Hotel at Belmont has a new chef, Gavin Forman. His resume is an impressive one, as the AHA - Newcastle noted recently. He was sous chef at Sydney's Park Royal; head chef at the Newcastle Club; held executive chef positions at Wyndham Estate and the Old George & Dragon;, opened his own restaurant The Mortar and Pestle in Newcastle; and "has been the driving force behind launching the Bradford Hotel's $1.8 million dining offering", according to the AHA.
Unsurprisingly, the Gunyah now has a new winter menu. It might be worth checking out, too, if the beef cheek pie cooked with slow-braised beef cheek in a puff pastry case and topped with mashed potato, mushy peas and gravy is anything to go by.
Cocktails, anyone?
Mixologist Brent Tozer brings more than 30 years' experience and a collection of international cocktail awards to The Beach Hotel at Merewether - as well as a new and improved cocktail menu. His list of achievements includes: Australian Bartender of the Year 2016; Best Cocktail Australia (Suntory); NSW Margarita Champion; Marie Brizard World Challenge Top 5; California Margarita Champion; runner-up National Flair Bar Tending awards; and Best Pear Cocktail, Pear Australia.
Freebie of the week
Jennifer Joyce is a food writer, stylist and chef. In My Asian Kitchen, she shows how easy it is to create zingy, fresh, healthy Asian flavours at home. From grilled sticky skewers and steak tacos, salads, rice bowls and dumplings, to prawn katsu bao and miso-glazed ribs, My Asian Kitchen explores the dazzling diversity of modern Asian cooking. Joyce's simple recipes, no-nonsense explanation of ingredients, hand-drawn diagrams and beautiful photographs are all you need to start cooking in your very own Asian kitchen.
My Asian Kitchen is out now through Murdoch Books, RRP $39.99. Food & Wine has a copy to give away. To enter, send the words "My Asian Kitchen" with your name, address and number to freelunch@newcastleherald.com.au. Entries close on Monday at 9am.
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