Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley announces Culinary Winter Indulgence

From June to August, Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley, Australia’s ultra-luxury, conservation-based resort, will host a series of incredible culinary experiences curated by Executive Chef Nancy Kinchela in collaboration with some of Australia’s leading chefs, tastemakers, and winemakers. Highlights include Josh Niland of The Fish Butchery and Saint Peter (awarded two hats in the 2019 Good Food Guide awards) and leading cheese-specialist Will Studd. Each gourmet experience will reflect the resort’s culinary philosophy, celebrating the very best of seasonal, regional and, where possible, organic produce, sourced from local boutique farms, private growers and vintners.

The Winter Culinary Festival launched in June with the ‘Big Reds and Game’ dinner hosted by Claudio Heye from Domain Thompson and will be followed by a caviar and champagne weekend with Simon Johnson caviar expert, Lisa Downs. In July, Josh Niland will cook alongside Chef Nancy to showcase the very best in sustainable Australian seafood; Josh Walker, head distiller at the award-winning Timboon Railway Shed Distillery, will host a whisky weekend; and Ian Glen of Stone Pine Distillery will co-host the ultimate 1832 Wolgan Gin weekend alongside Sydney’s leading gin specialist Mikey Enright. The resort will also celebrate Christmas in July with a series of Yulefest inspired experiences. In August, cheese-expert Will Studd will offer an insider’s glimpse into the world’s best cheeses, and Tim Kirk from the award-winning Clonakilla Winery will present a Clonakilla truffle dinner.

Caviar & Champagne
Friday, 28 and Saturday, 29 June
The Caviar & Champagne weekend will be a weekend of pure culinary indulgence. Guests will gain an insight into the wonderful world of caviar with a masterclass hosted by caviar expert, Lisa Downs, where they will sample a range of the finest caviar varieties expertly matched with a selection of Perrier Jouet vintages, hand selected by Champagne Ambassador, Chris Sheehy. In the evening, guests will be treated to an indulgent five-course caviar-inspired dinner, created by Executive Chef Nancy Kinchela and matched with Perrier Jouet Champagne.

Sustainable Australian Seafood Dinner with Josh Niland
Saturday, 6 July
Josh Niland is one of Australia’s leading chefs, known for his ground-breaking approach to showcasing fish, which has gathered him international recognition. Niland opened Saint Peter in 2016 (winning 2 Hats in the Good Food Guide Awards 2019) and Fish Butchery in 2018, a modern fishmonger that embodies all of the day-to-day practices carried out at Saint Peter. For one night only, Josh will showcase his sustainable approach and appreciation of Australian fish alongside Executive Chef Nancy Kinchella, for a memorable dinner for guests, focused on using the whole fish paired with local ingredients from the region. Before dinner, guests will have the opportunity to mingle with Josh for a pre-dinner drink.

Yulefest
Throughout July
During the month of July, the resort will celebrate the very best of Yulefest, transforming into a spectacular Australian winter wonderland. From crackling bonfires to delicious treats and traditional Christmas feasts, guests can experience this bespoke antipodean celebration of ‘Christmas in July’ set against the picturesque backdrop of the magnificent Greater Blue Mountains.

Christmas in July weekend stays include:

• Christmas-inspired Degustation Dinner
• Cheese and Wine Tasting
• Yuletide Bonfire

Timboon Whisky Weekend
Friday, 19 and Saturday, 20 July
Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley will welcome Josh Walker, head distiller at the award-winning Timboon Railway Shed Distillery in Victoria, who will host an afternoon whisky masterclass where guests will sample an array of Timboon’s finest small-batch malt varieties. In the evening, a menu of smoke-infused dishes prepared over an open fire will be served, with each course expertly paired with a Timboon whisky.

1832 Wolgan Gin Weekend
Friday, 26 and Saturday, 27 July
This will be the ultimate weekend of gin as the resort welcomes Ian Glen from the historical Stone Pine Distillery in Bathurst and Sydney’s leading gin specialist, Mikey Enright of The Barber Shop. Guests will have the opportunity to be immersed into the making of 1832 Wolgan Gin - Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley’s artisan, locally distilled gin, inspired by the rich bounty of nature. Guests will venture down to the pristine Carne Creek to forage native botanicals as the sun rises and challenge their cocktail creativity at a Mixologist Masterclass, held in the Valley Bar Lounge. Finally guests will savour the finest regional produce with a gin-inspired dinner in the Wolgan Dining Room prepared by Executive Chef, Nancy Kinchela.

Will Studd Cheese Masterclass
Friday, 2 and Saturday, 3 August
Will Studd has been working with cheese for over 30 years and is crowned Australia’s leading cheese expert. He is passionate about farmhouse cheese and has great enthusiasm for educating all on what cheese is really all about. During the weekend, Will will present an insider’s glimpse into the world’s best cheeses, along with a selection of his personal favourite, hosted at the Valley Bar Lounge.

Clonakilla Truffle Dinner
Friday, 16 and Saturday, 17 August
Tim Kirk joins the resort from the award-winning Clonakilla Winery in Canberra to share his passion for evocative wines. As Chief Winemaker, Tim has created many of Australia’s great red wines including the critically acclaimed Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier. Guests will sample some of the finest Clonakilla vintages with a bespoke wine and cheese tasting led by Tim, and in the evening, a truffle-inspired degustation dinner will be prepared by Executive Chef Nancy Kinchela and accompanied by Clonakilla wines hand-selected by the winemaker.

“We are truly excited to present this year’s line-up of events as a part of our culinary winter festival – from whisky dinners to cheese masterclasses, we are very proud to partner with some of Australia’s leading chefs and tastemakers to provide our guests with the ultimate gourmet getaway. The festival is a celebration of the local area and reflects our dedication to providing unforgettable and curated experiences for our guests to enjoy,” commented James Wyndham, General Manager of Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley.