Gold Box 2009 - Cairns
WINK RESTAURANT WINS THE ACF CAIRNS GOLD BOX RESTAURANT CHALLENGE.
On Monday evening the 6th April 160 guests gathered at the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino and were treated to a 4 course menu, matched with Robert Oatley Wines and Beer from Burleigh Brewing and hosted by Celebrity Peter Howard.
The supreme winner, who also took home a cash prize of $4000, Wink Restaurant, was lead by Head Chef Leon Walker.
Leon’s dishes each portrayed a unique flavour and plating. Winks dishes were intricate and impressed the entire judging panel by delivering them in perfection to the 30 guests over the 4 courses.
HOW IT HAPPENED...
Sunday afternoon - 5th April.
The five restaurant teams gathered together to view the Gold Box of Ingredients.
The entering restaurant teams were:
- Tamarind Restaurant – Pullman Reef Hotel Casino Cairns
- Salsa Restaurant – Port Douglas
- Cairns Hotel - Cairns
- Wink Restaurant – Cairns
- Ochre – Cairns
Then the challenge Began:
Each team had been given a time limit of 1.5 hours to write their menus including the beer and wine matching. On completion they were given the Gold Box Ingredients to take back to their restaurants for preparation for the judging and dining experience.
Monday 1 p.m. 6th April
The teams arrived with their menu of prepared food ready to be judged. Each team was allotted a 3 x 3 kitchen in the dining ballroom, which included stove and ovens, fridges and warming ovens.
Judging began at 3 pm by the Australian Culinary Foundation accredited Judging Team and continued right up until 6 p.m.
At 7 p.m. the 164 diners entered the room and each team served their 4 course menus to 30-40 guests, not forgetting that the five 3 x 3 kitchens were in the room with all dining guests.
Guests were very supportive of their “preferred” team and the rallying made the evening more than enjoyable for those involved.
Awards were given for Best, Starter, Best Main, Best Dessert and Best Apprentice. There were also awards for Best Wine Matching and Best Maitre D”.
The Overall Awards were:
- 2nd Runner Up – Ochre Restaurant
- 1st Runner Up – Salsa Bar & Grill
- Supreme Winner – Wink Restaurant
The Gold Box Restaurant Challenge is a state wide event under the Australian Culinary Federation in QLD and will be taking place in Cairns again in 2010.
The three finalists from the Cairns region will represent the Cairns Region at the Gold Box Restaurant State Final to be held at the Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast on Monday 3rd August, 2009.
For more information on this event please visit www.goldboxchallenge.com or telephone Faye Tabet on 07 5533 2744