Latest news with #TreendaleFarmHotel
West Australian
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
WA's Best Steak Sandwich Competition: JunHwi Heo from the Treendale Farm Hotel takes out country category
JunHwi Heo is looking forward to a good night's sleep after weeks of tossing and turning in bed wondering if his Asian twist on a pub staple would be enough to secure the title of WA's best steak sandwich. But Mr Heo — the head chef at Treendale Farm Hotel — proved his unique recipe had what it takes to hand the Australind pub back-to-back titles. The country category winner of the Australian Hotels Association WA and Little Creatures WA's Best Steak Sandwich competition was lost for words after his creation won the coveted crown. 'The last couple of weeks I couldn't go to bed, I was really stressed and nervous, but now I can go to bed,' he said. 'There's nothing more that I can say to express my emotion right now, I'm just so happy.' He said his decision to steer away from traditional ingredients 'really paid off'. 'I tried to make a different type of steak sandwich,' Mr Heo said. 'I used no fresh tomato, no rocket, no usual stuff, 'I focused on a rich smokey flavour, there is a side sauce for the chips that has smoked onion in it. 'And another stand out was the kimchi relish, which means that it's a little bit of Asian style so it was a little bit spicy.' Mr Heo's winning sanga also featured a Turkish roll, South West black Angus scotch fillet, two slices of cheddar cheese, Rocky Ridge homemade BBQ sauce and sweet and spicy mayo. It was served with smoked pickled onion coleslaw, crumbed green bean and chips. Last year, The Treendale Farm Hotel's chef Gayan Dilruk Geeeganage's winning sandwich contained scotch fillet steak, cheddar cheese, bacon jam, aioli, Beerfarm pale ale brined crispy onions, rocket, tomato, and pickles, served with chips and a herb and mustard dipping sauce. The pub has made more than 450 steak sandwiches a week since last year's win and visitors from far and wide are expected to keep rolling through to try its latest winning sanga But Mr Heo is not resting on his laurels and is already excited to get started on a recipe for next year. 'This means a lot for our restaurant, it is a really big celebration for us,' he said. 'I can't wait to keep pushing and creating for next year with my Sou chef.' The Treendale Farm Hotel was up against The Miners Rest Motel in Kalgoorlie, Margaret River's Settlers Tavern and the Exchange Hotel in Pinjarra. Each chef had 13 minutes to make two steak sandwiches, one for the judges and one for the audience. The winning steak sandwich was worth $34 — the most expensive of the lineup — and took the longest to make. Mr Heo finished cooking with just seconds to spare. The drooling audience celebrated loudly as his steak sizzled on the grill and salivated as Mr Heo's sandwich was passed through the crowd. Judges were asked to assess each sandwiches presentation, originality, chips, sauces, flavour, value for money, and most importantly, the meat's tenderness. AHA WA executive officer Bradley Woods was one of four judges who agreed the 'fangability' of the sandwich was crucial. ''Fangability' is the tear factor, you don't want the sandwich to fall apart when you bite into it,' he said. 'I also don't want sauce running down my hands, the chefs have to balance everything just right.' Mr Woods said the annual competition puts not just the winner but all competitors 'on the map'. 'The great West Australian steak sandwich competition is alive and well in our country pubs,' he said. 'All the chefs did an amazing job and I congratulate them all.' The competition — which has been running for 18 years — was held inside the Crown Towers ballroom as part of the 2025 AHA hospitality expedition.
Perth Now
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
The $34 steak sandwich crowned best in Country WA
JunHwi Heo is looking forward to a good night's sleep after weeks of tossing and turning in bed wondering if his Asian twist on a pub staple would be enough to secure the title of WA's best steak sandwich. But Mr Heo — the head chef at Treendale Farm Hotel — proved his unique recipe had what it takes to hand the Australind pub back-to-back titles. The country category winner of the Australian Hotels Association WA and Little Creatures WA's Best Steak Sandwich competition was lost for words after his creation won the coveted crown. 'The last couple of weeks I couldn't go to bed, I was really stressed and nervous, but now I can go to bed,' he said. 'There's nothing more that I can say to express my emotion right now, I'm just so happy.' He said his decision to steer away from traditional ingredients 'really paid off'. Treendale Farm Hotel winning steak sandwich. Credit: Andrew Ritchie 'I tried to make a different type of steak sandwich,' Mr Heo said. 'I used no fresh tomato, no rocket, no usual stuff, 'I focused on a rich smokey flavour, there is a side sauce for the chips that has smoked onion in it. 'And another stand out was the kimchi relish, which means that it's a little bit of Asian style so it was a little bit spicy.' Mr Heo's winning sanga also featured a Turkish roll, South West black Angus scotch fillet, two slices of cheddar cheese, Rocky Ridge homemade BBQ sauce and sweet and spicy mayo. It was served with smoked pickled onion coleslaw, crumbed green bean and chips. Last year, The Treendale Farm Hotel's chef Gayan Dilruk Geeeganage's winning sandwich contained scotch fillet steak, cheddar cheese, bacon jam, aioli, Beerfarm pale ale brined crispy onions, rocket, tomato, and pickles, served with chips and a herb and mustard dipping sauce. Chef Jui Hwi Heo at WA's Best Steak Sandwich Competition where he took out first place. Credit: Andrew Ritchie The pub has made more than 450 steak sandwiches a week since last year's win and visitors from far and wide are expected to keep rolling through to try its latest winning sanga But Mr Heo is not resting on his laurels and is already excited to get started on a recipe for next year. 'This means a lot for our restaurant, it is a really big celebration for us,' he said. 'I can't wait to keep pushing and creating for next year with my Sou chef.' The Treendale Farm Hotel was up against The Miners Rest Motel in Kalgoorlie, Margaret River's Settlers Tavern and the Exchange Hotel in Pinjarra. Each chef had 13 minutes to make two steak sandwiches, one for the judges and one for the audience. The winning steak sandwich was worth $34 — the most expensive of the lineup — and took the longest to make. Mr Heo finished cooking with just seconds to spare. Chef Jui Hwi Heo at WA's Best Steak Sandwich Competition where he took out first place Credit: Andrew Ritchie The drooling audience celebrated loudly as his steak sizzled on the grill and salivated as Mr Heo's sandwich was passed through the crowd. Judges were asked to assess each sandwiches presentation, originality, chips, sauces, flavour, value for money, and most importantly, the meat's tenderness. AHA WA executive officer Bradley Woods was one of four judges who agreed the 'fangability' of the sandwich was crucial. ''Fangability' is the tear factor, you don't want the sandwich to fall apart when you bite into it,' he said. 'I also don't want sauce running down my hands, the chefs have to balance everything just right.' Mr Woods said the annual competition puts not just the winner but all competitors 'on the map'. 'The great West Australian steak sandwich competition is alive and well in our country pubs,' he said. 'All the chefs did an amazing job and I congratulate them all.' The competition — which has been running for 18 years — was held inside the Crown Towers ballroom as part of the 2025 AHA hospitality expedition.
Perth Now
08-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Eight SW venues to battle it out for the best steak sandwich
Eight South West eateries will be facing off with other regional pubs this month to dish up their most delicious steak sandwich as part of a Statewide competition. Public voting is now open for the Australian Hotels Association WA's 2025 Best Steak Sandwich Competition — an annual culinary battle now in its 18th year. Bobby's Busselton, Eaton Tavern, Last Slice Dalyellup, Onya Pub, Rose Hotel, Settlers Tavern, The Rec Waroona Hotel and Treendale Farm Hotel are part of 19 venues this year competing for a spot in the top four regional finalists. Treendale Farm Hotel will be looking to defend its title after taking out the regional prize last year. Chef Gayan Dilruk Geeeganage from Treendale Farm Hotel competing at the 2024 cook off. Credit: Ammon Creative / Ammon Creative Chef Gayan Dilruk Geeeganage produced a classic steak sandwich comprising Scotch fillet steak, sharp cheddar cheese, bacon jam, aioli, Beerfarm pale ale brined crispy onions, rocket, tomato, pickles, accompanied with chips and herb and mustard dipping sauce which won over the panel of four judges. AHA WA chief executive Bradley Woods said the competition had become a much-loved institution on WA's hospitality calendar and showcased the passion, creativity and skill of WA chefs. 'The WA's Best Steak Sandwich competition captures the heart of WA's vibrant hospitality scene,' he said. 'It's an opportunity for venues to showcase their culinary flair, engage with their communities and be recognised for producing one of WA's most iconic and loved dishes.' The top four metropolitan and regional finalists will be determined by public votes and a visit from a mystery judge before going head-to-head in a live cook-off at the 2025 AHA Hospitality Expo at Crown Perth on June 24 and 25. 'This year's competition promises to be a thrilling one and we encourage everyone to get behind their favourite venue and help them secure a place in the live cook-offs,' Mr Woods said. The public is encouraged to cast their votes on the AHA website before May 26. Finalists will be notified of the results on May 28.
