Hot news from Moorilla

Don't say Rita doesn't keep up with it.....here is some 'able to be published' news from Justin Harris at The Source, or Moorilla, as us plebs like to call it!

Moorilla is holding a Guest Chef Dinner with Ben Shrewy of Attica in Melbourne. Ben was voted in Gourmet Traveller’s top four chef’s alongside Neil Perry and Tetsuya Wakuda. He produces intellectually challenging and sometimes whimsical dishes that defy convention. He will be producing five of his favourite dishes with wines to match on the 3rd of August. Price TBC (Around $150 or less for our favourite non drinker!)

Luke Burgess, Leigh Christmas, Neil Perry (Rockpool Group), Mike McEarney (Rockpool Sydney) and Myself will be cooking for 500 at the Hotel Grand Chancellor on September 9th in aid of the Living Organ Donor Organisation. Price TBC. I’m doing the middle vego course, Luke on Fish, Leigh on Pork, Neil on Beef and Mike on Dessert.

I am going to W.A to be Tasmania’s Chef for the second year running at the Australian Tourism Exchange (Brisvegas last year) with three large cocktail parties and a dego for 70, all featuring the best of Tasmanian produce, cooked (and taken over) by yours truly. It is an eight day gig that is really taxing, but I get to promote beautiful Tasmania to the rest of the world and its media and that makes me happy. The menu will feature all the bounty that Tasmania has to offer and I hope I will do it justice.

Lastly though I would like to nominate a ‘Champion of Hospitality’ Graham Oddie , VET teacher at Claremont College, who has worked tirelessly to bring what I see as the best VET program in the State. His commitment to these kids (who can sometimes be a little rough) goes beyond the call of duty. I have hired eight of his ex students over the years, two of whom are now my apprentices, and they are brilliant. He instills them with a positive can do attitude and they come with more skills than would reasonably be expected. I love being able to hire local kids and Graham gives me the confidence to do so. He is a Champion.

Thanks for your email Justin. I am really happy you had some time out; that you used your 'holiday' to eat locally and give me some great reviews (which I'll publish only with your permission); that you treated your wife and daughter to what is in such short supply for everyone these days = quality time together; that you have nominated Graham Oddie at Claremont College (VET Hospitality teacher) as the first nominee on my list of fabulous unsung heroes who contribute much to hospitality here in Hobart.