Australian Chefs in the North - Festival Dinner

'An extraordinary Australian culinary event' announced for Townsville on June 29

On Thursday evening, June 29, under a spectacular marquee on the grassy lawns of Jupiter's Townsville Hotel and Casino, an extraordinary culinary event will take place ~ Australian Chefs in the North - Festival Dinner.

This prelude event to the opening of the world class Australian Festival of Chamber Music, will feature some of Australia's best known chefs from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Townsville in a six-course Degustation Menu, matched with superb Queensland wines and accompanied by sublime musical interludes.

The evening will be hosted by Lyndey Milan, Food Director of The Australian Women's Weekly and co-presenter of the Channel 9 National program "Fresh". The star chefs involved include (biography and images available for all):

Peter Evans
Famed Sydney-based chef and owner of the Hugos Group (Hugos Lounge and the award winning Hugos Bar Pizza in Sydney, The Pantry in Melbourne) and host of FISH, the LifeStyle Channel's new cooking program.

David Pugh
Acclaimed Brisbane-based chef and owner of the multi-award winning Restaurant II.

Michael Lambie
Head chef of Melbourne's celebrated Taxi Dining Room, The Age Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year and owner of Lamaro's in South Melbourne.

Matt Merrin
Former sous chef at Melbourne's iconic Donovan's Restaurant before moving to the $7million Jackson Hotel also in Melbourne, Matt Merrin is a modern Australian culinary stylist, and heads up the newly opened Watermark Restaurant in Townsville.

Andrew Mirosch
The culinary leader behind national award-winning Restaurant Lurleen's at Queensland's renowned Sirromet Winery.

PJ McMillan
Brisbane-based chef revered for his creative, clean flavours, and his interpretation of modern Australian cuisine.

Craig Smith
Executive Chef at Townsville's Table 51, Craig returned to north Queensland in 2005 after owning the acclaimed restaurant Portabello's in Port Macquarie (Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide) for four years.

Stefanie Morel
Recently qualified north Queensland chef talent, Morel is behind the flavours of the popular Naked Fish in Townsville.

Kylie Meyers
Kylie completed her training at Brisbane's famed Il Centro Restaurant before returning to Jupiter's Hotel and Casino in Townsville to be part of some of the north's most exciting culinary events including the VIP Cowboys Celebratory Dinner and Mayor's Charity Dinner in 2005.

Damien Tosh
Sous chef at Michel's Café & Bar in Townsville, Damien is another talented north Queensland chef, recently qualified.

The acclaimed Australian Festival of Chamber Music will feature a 10-day program of 80 different works to be performed by the world's best artists, including 20 premiere presentations, in North Queensland venues ranging from theatres and cathedrals to art galleries, parks and even Orpheus Island. Held in Townsville from June 30 to July 9, the Festival is the only annual national music festival held in Queensland, and the largest festival dedicated to chamber music in Australia.

The program this year is one of fusion, celebrating classical music styles, modern interpretations and Eastern influences while extending to include the Australian Chefs in the North culinary event, as well as the celebrated Reef Talk Series, the Xstrata Outback Tour, Winterschool and Emerging Artists' Concerts.

Event: Australian Chefs in the North - Festival Dinner
Location: Jupiter's Townsville Hotel and Casino
Date: Thursday, June 29
Time: 6.30pm for 7pm
Cost: $200 per person inc. GST
Tickets: Phone 07 4727 9797 or 1800 449977
Dress: Black Tie

Event: Australian Festival of Chamber Music
Location: Townsville
Dates: June 30 to July 9 2006
Web: www.afcm.com.au
Tickets: Ph 07 4727 9797 or 1800 449977 (freecall outside Townsville)