The 100 Mile Challenge

Five regions across NSW competed in the inaugural 100 Mile Challenge - an amazing lunch for 500 lucky guests at Sydney's CarriageWorks, held on Sunday, October 30.

Teams of students, apprentices and professionals created a three course menu of local produce, matched with local wines (everything sourced from within a 160km radius). They also set up regional displays and decorated their table for 100 with theming appropriate to their region.

Combined, the five regions from the Riverina, Mid North Coast, Central West and Ranges, Southern Highlands and South Coast fed 500 people with help from Sydney partner chefs - Nino Zocali (Pendolino), Serge Dansereau (The Bathers' Pavilion), Jared Ingersoll (Danks Street Depot), Alex Herbert (Bird Cow Fish) and Lucio Galletto (Lucio's).

Teams featured local TAFE students who showed a real passion for not only developing their professional skills but for sourcing high-quality ingredients.

An expert judging panel assessed teams on criteria such as technique, food and table presentation, taste, service and appropriateness of matching wines.

Winner:

Congratulations to South Coast, named the top NSW region.

Other awards include:

Best Apprentice/Student – Luke Piccolo, Riverina

Best Entrée – Mid North Coast

Best Main – South Coast

Best Dessert – South Coast

Best Food and Beverage Combination - Riverina

Extra Mile Winner – Steve Rosa, Southern Highlands

It was an extraordinary day and each team truly excelled itself. We look forward to another 100 Mile Challenge in 2012.