Change of culinary direction at Tower Lodge

 

There's a new chef, a new menu and a new name for the restaurant at Hunter Valley luxury retreat Tower Lodge.

It is farewell to Sebastian - the short-lived Spanish-themed eatery - and hello to what will simply be known as the restaurant at Tower Lodge.

Much-travelled chef Anthony Fullerton is the new man on the pans after being appointed head chef of the Hope Estate Group.

Both Tower Lodge and Hope Estate - with its cellar door, distillery, craft brewery and concert amphitheatre - are owned by the Hope family, 

Fullerton will focus on Hunter Valley produce, including beef and greens grown on the family’s properties, alongside produce sourced from local small farms and suppliers.

Fullerton was most recently known for having opened the acclaimed Bull & Bell Steakhouse in Griffith, and being named  Australian Hotels Association Australian Chef of the Year in 2022. 

The Hope family has its own cattle farm in the Barrington Valley farm in the Upper Hunter, which are then brought to the pastures adjacent to Hope Estate for a 40-day grain-based feed up.

Fullerton is keen to introduce a dry-aging facility onsite and to try raising different breeds of beef and lambs for diversity. He is keen to build a house-made charcuterie line and also has plans for a smokehouse.

“With the Hunter’s rich and diverse food bowl delivering such a wide variety of premium produce, we are all about celebrating the products themselves – we let the food do the talking and add sauces and salts, as well as side dishes to really allow the hero produce to shine,” he said.

“At Tower Lodge restaurant we prefer to offer shared plates to dedicate each course to a whole cut of beef, fish or cut of lamb, and if creates both a real sense of conviviality and a spirit of generosity.” 

For bookings and info see www.towerlodge.com.au or call (02) 4998 7022. 

Image: Jonathan Carroll