12:00a.m. 3rd August 2008

| By Shirley Sinclair

Mick Wilson, of Irish Murphy's Noosa, is up for the challenge. Photo: Che Chapman/ n21219

Tempura oysters with green papaya and toasted peanut salad as an entree, washed down with a James Squire Pilsener. Crispy skin duck with cassata, bok choy and blueberry jus for the main course, teamed with a James Squire Porter.

Quite an original combination of flavours – and you could be forgiven for thinking the menu items came from an upmarket Sydney eatery, or perhaps a five-star resort in the Whitsundays.

But in fact, come August 4 to 23, the dishes will be pub fare in Noosa. That’s right, pub fare.

Irish Murphy’s in Noosa Junction is flying the flag for the Sunshine Coast for the 2008 James Squire Chef’s Match.

More than 90 of Australia’s most creative chefs will be unleashing a feast of culinary sensations in the annual competition.

In an Australian first, chefs within New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland will be going head-to-head to create the perfect flavour-filled pairing of great Australian food and James Squire beers.

Undoubtedly the tastiest part of the competition is that everyone gets to enjoy each creation at participating “gastro pubs” and “restaurants” across Australia.

The Noosa Irish Murphy’s is entered in the gastro pub section. Gastro pub is a term for a public house (“pub”) which specialises in high-quality food a step above the more basic pub grub. The name is a combination of pub and gastronomy.

Staying true to the term requires a menu that complements the assortment of beers and wines the gastro pub offers.

The James Squire Chef’s Match is the perfect occasion to bring friends and family together to enjoy and celebrate the very best in Australian produce and James Squire’s first-class beer!

Each chef is required to create one entrée and one main course, each matched to a different James Squire beer, including Golden Ale, Original Amber Ale, Pilsener, India Pale Ale or Porter.

“Australian food lovers are set for a true gastronomic experience during the month of August” said Dr Chuck Hahn, Master Brewer of the Malt Shovel Brewery. “We are challenging chefs to push the boundaries and to discover new heights of flavour; to employ an innovative and creative approach indicative of the James Squire brewing team”.

The James Squire Chef’s Match judging will be based on three categories – flavour, innovation and passion – and will be performed by an anonymous panel of experts throughout the month of August. The Overall Winner and Best Spirit Winner within each state and category will be announced at an awards event in September and stands to win a cash prize of $2500, plus five cartons of James Squire beer. The Best Spirit Winner within each state wins a cash prize of $500, plus five cartons of James Squire beer.

Irish Murphy’s Noosa venue manager and head chef Mick Wilson said this was the first time the pub had entered the competition and was the only Sunshine Coast venue taking up the challenge.

Mick believes his pub establishment is on a winner with the chosen entree and main course.

To get a taste of the action, James Squire Chef’s Match Entries can be enjoyed for a great combination price at participating venues, August 4 – 23.