Team South Burnett

Team South Burnett is a group of dedicated professional chefs competing in the 2007 LifeStyle FOOD Channel Australian Regional Culinary Competition.
All team members hale from the South Burnett region, which is located in South East Queensland, Australia - approximately two hours drive from the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane or Fraser Coast. The South Burnett is an area rich in history, agriculture, wineries and welcoming country towns. It is also the home of the majestic Bunya Mountains.
In 2003, the culinary team competed at the cooking competition, which is held as a key event of Tasting Australia.
Tasting Australia is a biannual festival of Australian wine and food held in the South Australian capital of Adelaide in October. It was launched in 1997 by Ian Parmenter and David Evans, for which they were awarded a Jaguar Award for Excellence in 2001 from the Gourmet Traveller. It attracts more than 200 national and international journalists, and several thousands of visitors.

History

Team South Burnett was formed on March 9 2002, at the Tarong Mine Wine and Food in the Park Festival. The festival is held annually in Memorial Park, Kingaroy.
The festival featured the first annual South Burnett Culinary Competition, with a judging panel comprised of Alison Alexander (Food Consultant), John McDonald (Fine Food Providor) and Jason Ford (Chef).
John McDonald saw great potential in the competing chefs, and their regionally inspired dishes and urged Jason Ford to lead a team at the 2003 LifeStyle Food Channel Australian Regional Culinary Competition. He regarded the South Burnett as a burgeoning wine and food tourism region and suggested that exposure at a national event would lead to positive outcomes.
Jason accepted John’s advice and assembled a team by the end of the day.
After raising $20,000 (AUD) in local financial partnerships, Team South Burnett travelled to Adelaide, South Australia and represented their region against 30 other Australian teams.
Team South Burnett where ultimately unable to achieve a placing in the top three positions. However, in their debut at the internationally renowned culinary competition, they outscored the defending gold medalists Team Hunter Valley.
Click here, to view footage of Team South Burnett competing at the 2003 LifeStyle Channel Australian Regional Culinary Competition

Region

South Burnett, Queensland, Australia

Team Members

2003

2007

Team Captain

Jason Ford

Jason Ford

Team Chef 1

Steve Gudzinski

Steve Gudzinski

Team Chef 2

Clinton Smoothie

Helen Pratt

Team Apprentice

Adrian Hauritz

Matthew McMurdy

Team Manager

Sylvia Parsons

Sylvia Parsons


References