Look out those diaries fight fans; it’s time to lock in June 18 for the ultimate food fight, when star Hunter Valley chefs Frank Fawkner and Hamish Watt take on two of their equally illustrious Sydney counterparts, Mitch Orr and Joel Bickford, for the ninth annual Hunter Culinary Association Food Fight title.

Watt’s Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley kitchens will host EXP’s Fawkner, Acme’s Orr and Bickford, who is newly installed at Aria, as the four chefs do battle. As well as gastronomic glory, the event also raises money for the Brett Graham Scholarship through a charity auction. Proceeds from this will send a young chef to study under Newcastle-born Graham at his two-Michelin-starred London restaurant, The Ledbury.

The 2018 Food Fight sees the Hunter Valley and Sydney chefs go head to head, with each preparing one course and diners voting for the winner at the conclusion of lunch. That’s not to say city versus country pride won’t be as important as ever as the foursome serve up this year’s theme – their interpretation of a classic dish or flavour combination.

As to what that means for diners, the event’s menu is still very much in the planning stage, report the chefs. Bickford, while admitting to “throwing himself on the main course hand grenade” is still workshopping his dish, while Watt is considering a version of Eton mess that plays with texture and flavours, but “that’s not set in stone”. Fawkner promises “something playful – maybe an Oz take on sausage sandwich” in line with his cooking style at EXP. Whatever the outcome, the chef is in no doubt that “everyone wants to come out with a win”.

To accompany the four courses on the day, guests can also look forward to some of the Hunter’s best wines, with support from winemakers Pepper Tree, Usher Tinkler, Tulloch, Margan and First Creek.

Of course, beyond the competition, each year’s Food Fight, says Hunter Culinary Association (HCA) chairman Gus Maher, is a “a gathering in culinary friendship and fellowship that celebrates and promotes the Hunter – everyone comes with thick skins”.

“After that,” adds Maher, “it’s about raising funds for the scholarship to support young chefs and front of house staff, and to let them go off into the world, then hopefully bring them back to the Hunter.”

Says HCA deputy chair Lisa Margan: “When we have four chefs of this calibre given free rein to put their stamps on dishes like these, you know the results will be incredible. Combined with the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients and delicious Hunter Valley wines, it’s a winning formula that will see guests enjoy an unforgettable culinary experience.”

This year’s Food Fight takes place from 11am on June 18 at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, Pokolbin. The cost is $175 for HCA members, $220 for non-members and $90 for apprentice chefs. For more info, visit hunterculinary.com.au and to book, email mail@hunterculinary.com.au