Top chefs join Shewry for a camp cook-off

Campers at Wye River caravan park may have been nonplussed last week when a large, blokey group arrived for the night, then proceeded to cook a four-hour banquet over an open fire. The group was, in fact, 10 of Australia's top chefs, brought together by Attica's Ben Shewry for a three-day food camp followed by an eight-course feast at the restaurant. From NSW came Mark Best, the Three Blue Ducks team and Karl Kanetani from Bangalow's Town, Michael Meredith came from Auckland, and there was Victoria's own Andrew McConnell, Matt Wilkinson and Good Food Guide chef of the year Michael Ryan. Shewry took his guests straight from the airport to Ocean Grove for a surf (with lessons for those who needed them), then to Wye River overnight before visiting nearby shiitake and organic farms. They also did the Otway Fly's giant flying fox, which, Shewry says, ''was pretty cool''.

Janne Apelgren