For one sizzling luncheon on Monday, September 10, the Hunter Region will come alive as its best chefs go head-to-head against Sydney's best food creatives.

The gloves will come off when Hunter Valley Chefs & Co, a not-for-profit organisation that strives to deliver a superior culinary experience for visitors to the Hunter Region through world class chefs and events, will host the 3rd annual 'Food Fight'.

The much anticipated event will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, and aims to showcase the region's very best local talent and mouth-watering fresh produce, pitted against some of Sydney's kitchen heavyweights.

In the Sydney corner will be Matt Kemp formerly of Balzac, who will lead the 'food fighters', along with team mates, Warren Turnbull from Assiette, Colin Fassnidge from Four in Hand, and leading Sydney culinary personality Justin North who will complete the group. 

"We're definitely in it to win it, and to have some fun on the day!" says Matt Kemp. "It always inspires us to get out to the region, experience what's on offer and meet with the local chefs who we know will give us a good run for our money."

In the Hunter corner will be Captain Jamie Ryan from 'Caves' Beachside Hotel and his team Tim Montgomery from Bacchus, Emerson Rodriguez from Emerson's Pokolbin, and Troy Rhoades-Brown from Muse, who will create an incredible sensory experience that shouldn't be missed.

To add fuel to the fire, the 250 luncheon guests will view the kitchen battle via a live video feed as their food is being prepared.

Peter Everett of 'Ready Steady Cook' fame will MC the event, providing entertaining commentary surrounding the 'chef-off'.

With fresh locally sourced Hunter Region ingredients such as lamb and pork shoulder, as well as spanner crab and line caught calamari, guests are in for a real treat.

The winning team, judged by the attendees on the day, will win the coveted '2012 Food Fight Winner' title.  However, both teams have promised to "pack a punch" with dishes that will knock guest's socks off and be savoured for a long time to come.

At the core of Hunter Chefs & Co is its drive to foster and develop upcoming regional talent.

Apprentices from the Hunter Region will play a large role in 'The Food Fight'. Entirely responsible for the canapés, the aspiring young chefs will work together with either the Hunter or Sydney team to produce what will be some of their most show stopping food yet.

Funds raised through the event will be directed towards the Brett Graham Scholarship, where one promising apprentice chef will have the opportunity to be flown to London to work alongside highly acclaimed Brett Graham at his renowned Notting Hill Restaurant, The Ledbury.

Tickets to 'The Food Fight' luncheon are $90 for Hunter Chefs & Co members, and $130 for other guests. Locally brewed beer and premium Hunter Valley wine will be provided.  The event often sells out in advance, so book early to avoid disappointment by emailing  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

This Hunter Chefs & Co lunch is one of many must-do events on any 'foodie' calendar, so to find out more about what's on, please visit www.hunterchefs.com.au , 'like' them on www.facebook.com/pages/Hunter-Chefs-Co, or join the conversation on https://twitter.com/Hunterchefs