Latest news with #HunterValleyLegendsAwards
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
The cooking school where a dining table takes centre stage for the guests
In the name chosen for her business, Jen Nicita hoped to capture the essence of her work in its three simple words. Our Italian Table is the name of Jen's cooking school, where the skills learnt are only part of the experience, as the dining and conversations around the table during the meal are the hallmarks of its success. The school is located in Pokolbin on the family's 70-acre Nicita Estate and has wonderful views of the Brokenback Ranges and nearby vineyards. Even though it became fully operational just as the COVID lockdown occurred in 2020, the school has now welcomed its 7000th guest and is thriving. At the recent Hunter Valley Legends Awards, Our Italian Table won Tourist Operator of the Year. This is a credit to Jen and her staff's dedication in creating a destination where food, wine and conversations flourish. "The first time I visited my husband's family, it was the full Italian meal experience, so different to my own - no Italian heritage in my family," she said. "Beautiful food and wine, lots of co nversations at once, and everyone gathered around the family table. "That is what I wanted to create with my business in Pokolbin: a table, food, and conversations like one big Italian family. That is why I called it Our Italian Table." A career in the food industry alongside helping her husband, Vince Nicita, in his software business when her children were young would eventually lead the couple to buy their property at Pokolbin in 2017. "We lived on the North Shore and had easy access to the Hunter wineries, and I always had a passion to start a cooking school. So the property was ideal for the family getaway and my school," she said. In addition to the school, the property has a 12-acre vineyards which Scarbough Wines manage. "We love drinking the wines, but none of us is interested in making wines, so we leave it to the experts," Jen said. The school is noted for its pasta making lessons with the classes open to 10 people who may book singly, as a couple or in a group. "The mixed groups are lovely as people learn about pasta making at the same time as they chat to the other guests," Jen said. "We have such a variable guest list, so it's interesting for us and the guests." The classes last four hours, with three devoted to cooking before the guests move on to tasting their work. Jen bases the dishes where she can on local produce, but it must be seasonal, and all the ingredients must be easily procured. "If you want to buy special pasta flour, that's your call, but I want people to make their pasta with ingredients they can afford and that are available at a local supermarket," she said. Jen has noted since she started school how some people are hard on themselves when it comes to cooking. "If they took pottery classes, they could fail multiple times with their clay creations, but not when it comes to cooking, there is so much self-doubt, people are so self-critical of their cooking skills, which I hope to reverse while they are with us," she said. "We hope to instil self-confidence in our classes." The successful business now has two teachers and 10 other staff working alongside Jen, who loves that her little passion project has succeeded. "Five minutes before a class, I look around the room and think how lucky I am to be able to share my passion for food and the Italian table with others," she said. In the name chosen for her business, Jen Nicita hoped to capture the essence of her work in its three simple words. Our Italian Table is the name of Jen's cooking school, where the skills learnt are only part of the experience, as the dining and conversations around the table during the meal are the hallmarks of its success. The school is located in Pokolbin on the family's 70-acre Nicita Estate and has wonderful views of the Brokenback Ranges and nearby vineyards. Even though it became fully operational just as the COVID lockdown occurred in 2020, the school has now welcomed its 7000th guest and is thriving. At the recent Hunter Valley Legends Awards, Our Italian Table won Tourist Operator of the Year. This is a credit to Jen and her staff's dedication in creating a destination where food, wine and conversations flourish. "The first time I visited my husband's family, it was the full Italian meal experience, so different to my own - no Italian heritage in my family," she said. "Beautiful food and wine, lots of co nversations at once, and everyone gathered around the family table. "That is what I wanted to create with my business in Pokolbin: a table, food, and conversations like one big Italian family. That is why I called it Our Italian Table." A career in the food industry alongside helping her husband, Vince Nicita, in his software business when her children were young would eventually lead the couple to buy their property at Pokolbin in 2017. "We lived on the North Shore and had easy access to the Hunter wineries, and I always had a passion to start a cooking school. So the property was ideal for the family getaway and my school," she said. In addition to the school, the property has a 12-acre vineyards which Scarbough Wines manage. "We love drinking the wines, but none of us is interested in making wines, so we leave it to the experts," Jen said. The school is noted for its pasta making lessons with the classes open to 10 people who may book singly, as a couple or in a group. "The mixed groups are lovely as people learn about pasta making at the same time as they chat to the other guests," Jen said. "We have such a variable guest list, so it's interesting for us and the guests." The classes last four hours, with three devoted to cooking before the guests move on to tasting their work. Jen bases the dishes where she can on local produce, but it must be seasonal, and all the ingredients must be easily procured. "If you want to buy special pasta flour, that's your call, but I want people to make their pasta with ingredients they can afford and that are available at a local supermarket," she said. Jen has noted since she started school how some people are hard on themselves when it comes to cooking. "If they took pottery classes, they could fail multiple times with their clay creations, but not when it comes to cooking, there is so much self-doubt, people are so self-critical of their cooking skills, which I hope to reverse while they are with us," she said. "We hope to instil self-confidence in our classes." The successful business now has two teachers and 10 other staff working alongside Jen, who loves that her little passion project has succeeded. "Five minutes before a class, I look around the room and think how lucky I am to be able to share my passion for food and the Italian table with others," she said. In the name chosen for her business, Jen Nicita hoped to capture the essence of her work in its three simple words. Our Italian Table is the name of Jen's cooking school, where the skills learnt are only part of the experience, as the dining and conversations around the table during the meal are the hallmarks of its success. The school is located in Pokolbin on the family's 70-acre Nicita Estate and has wonderful views of the Brokenback Ranges and nearby vineyards. Even though it became fully operational just as the COVID lockdown occurred in 2020, the school has now welcomed its 7000th guest and is thriving. At the recent Hunter Valley Legends Awards, Our Italian Table won Tourist Operator of the Year. This is a credit to Jen and her staff's dedication in creating a destination where food, wine and conversations flourish. "The first time I visited my husband's family, it was the full Italian meal experience, so different to my own - no Italian heritage in my family," she said. "Beautiful food and wine, lots of co nversations at once, and everyone gathered around the family table. "That is what I wanted to create with my business in Pokolbin: a table, food, and conversations like one big Italian family. That is why I called it Our Italian Table." A career in the food industry alongside helping her husband, Vince Nicita, in his software business when her children were young would eventually lead the couple to buy their property at Pokolbin in 2017. "We lived on the North Shore and had easy access to the Hunter wineries, and I always had a passion to start a cooking school. So the property was ideal for the family getaway and my school," she said. In addition to the school, the property has a 12-acre vineyards which Scarbough Wines manage. "We love drinking the wines, but none of us is interested in making wines, so we leave it to the experts," Jen said. The school is noted for its pasta making lessons with the classes open to 10 people who may book singly, as a couple or in a group. "The mixed groups are lovely as people learn about pasta making at the same time as they chat to the other guests," Jen said. "We have such a variable guest list, so it's interesting for us and the guests." The classes last four hours, with three devoted to cooking before the guests move on to tasting their work. Jen bases the dishes where she can on local produce, but it must be seasonal, and all the ingredients must be easily procured. "If you want to buy special pasta flour, that's your call, but I want people to make their pasta with ingredients they can afford and that are available at a local supermarket," she said. Jen has noted since she started school how some people are hard on themselves when it comes to cooking. "If they took pottery classes, they could fail multiple times with their clay creations, but not when it comes to cooking, there is so much self-doubt, people are so self-critical of their cooking skills, which I hope to reverse while they are with us," she said. "We hope to instil self-confidence in our classes." The successful business now has two teachers and 10 other staff working alongside Jen, who loves that her little passion project has succeeded. "Five minutes before a class, I look around the room and think how lucky I am to be able to share my passion for food and the Italian table with others," she said. In the name chosen for her business, Jen Nicita hoped to capture the essence of her work in its three simple words. Our Italian Table is the name of Jen's cooking school, where the skills learnt are only part of the experience, as the dining and conversations around the table during the meal are the hallmarks of its success. The school is located in Pokolbin on the family's 70-acre Nicita Estate and has wonderful views of the Brokenback Ranges and nearby vineyards. Even though it became fully operational just as the COVID lockdown occurred in 2020, the school has now welcomed its 7000th guest and is thriving. At the recent Hunter Valley Legends Awards, Our Italian Table won Tourist Operator of the Year. This is a credit to Jen and her staff's dedication in creating a destination where food, wine and conversations flourish. "The first time I visited my husband's family, it was the full Italian meal experience, so different to my own - no Italian heritage in my family," she said. "Beautiful food and wine, lots of co nversations at once, and everyone gathered around the family table. "That is what I wanted to create with my business in Pokolbin: a table, food, and conversations like one big Italian family. That is why I called it Our Italian Table." A career in the food industry alongside helping her husband, Vince Nicita, in his software business when her children were young would eventually lead the couple to buy their property at Pokolbin in 2017. "We lived on the North Shore and had easy access to the Hunter wineries, and I always had a passion to start a cooking school. So the property was ideal for the family getaway and my school," she said. In addition to the school, the property has a 12-acre vineyards which Scarbough Wines manage. "We love drinking the wines, but none of us is interested in making wines, so we leave it to the experts," Jen said. The school is noted for its pasta making lessons with the classes open to 10 people who may book singly, as a couple or in a group. "The mixed groups are lovely as people learn about pasta making at the same time as they chat to the other guests," Jen said. "We have such a variable guest list, so it's interesting for us and the guests." The classes last four hours, with three devoted to cooking before the guests move on to tasting their work. Jen bases the dishes where she can on local produce, but it must be seasonal, and all the ingredients must be easily procured. "If you want to buy special pasta flour, that's your call, but I want people to make their pasta with ingredients they can afford and that are available at a local supermarket," she said. Jen has noted since she started school how some people are hard on themselves when it comes to cooking. "If they took pottery classes, they could fail multiple times with their clay creations, but not when it comes to cooking, there is so much self-doubt, people are so self-critical of their cooking skills, which I hope to reverse while they are with us," she said. "We hope to instil self-confidence in our classes." The successful business now has two teachers and 10 other staff working alongside Jen, who loves that her little passion project has succeeded. "Five minutes before a class, I look around the room and think how lucky I am to be able to share my passion for food and the Italian table with others," she said.
The Advertiser
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Living legends of Hunter wine and tourism honoured at industry awards gala
Andrew and Lisa Margan, the Hunter Valley husband and wife winemaking powerhouse, were named living legends in the region's wine and tourism industries this week at the annual Hunter Valley Legends Awards. Rydges Resort in the Hunter Valley hosted the gala event, attended by some 330 industry guests, to pay homage to the region's most respected leaders, innovators and rising stars. Andrew Margan was inducted as the 2025 Hunter Valley Wine Industry Living Legend in recognition of his long-standing commitment to securing the Hunter Valley's place among the world's great wine regions. Mr Margan's wife, Lisa, who has dedicated more than 30 years to the Hunter Valley's food, wine and hospitality scene, was similarly inducted as a Living Legend of the Hunter's tourism industry, after playing a key role in supporting countless initiatives and enriching the local community. "These awards not only honour the legends of our industry-they also highlight the talent, resilience and forward thinking that defines the Hunter Valley today," Chris Tyrrell, the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association president, said. Iain Riggs, the acclaimed winemaker who led the rise of the Brokenwood label in the Hunter, and the chair of the Association's Living Legends said Mr and Mrs Margan's contributions to the industry was "tireless" and a "blueprint for anyone with a desire to make the Hunter Valley a must-go location". The word passion, along with dedication, can often be overused, but in the case of the 2025 Hunter Valley Tourism Living Legend, both sit comfortably with a very worthy recipient, Lisa Margan," he said. Mr Margan, he said, had tackled "the wine industry's political foes head-on" and had an "undying belief in the oldest continuous wine region in Australia". Liz Silkman, the chief winemaker at fellow Hunter label First Creek, was recognised as the Association's Winemaker of the Year, while Tyrrell's assistant vineyard manager Louise Eather was named Viticulturist of the Year for her leadership in sustainable viticulture. Rising star Alisdair Tulloch was named the Association's Young Achiever of the Year. Mr Tulloch, a manager at his father Keith's label and co-owner of Aeon Wines, was similarly lauded for his commitment to sustainable practices, securing Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification and maintaining the winery's carbon-neutral status, placing it among Australia's Top 50 vineyards. Andrew and Lisa Margan, the Hunter Valley husband and wife winemaking powerhouse, were named living legends in the region's wine and tourism industries this week at the annual Hunter Valley Legends Awards. Rydges Resort in the Hunter Valley hosted the gala event, attended by some 330 industry guests, to pay homage to the region's most respected leaders, innovators and rising stars. Andrew Margan was inducted as the 2025 Hunter Valley Wine Industry Living Legend in recognition of his long-standing commitment to securing the Hunter Valley's place among the world's great wine regions. Mr Margan's wife, Lisa, who has dedicated more than 30 years to the Hunter Valley's food, wine and hospitality scene, was similarly inducted as a Living Legend of the Hunter's tourism industry, after playing a key role in supporting countless initiatives and enriching the local community. "These awards not only honour the legends of our industry-they also highlight the talent, resilience and forward thinking that defines the Hunter Valley today," Chris Tyrrell, the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association president, said. Iain Riggs, the acclaimed winemaker who led the rise of the Brokenwood label in the Hunter, and the chair of the Association's Living Legends said Mr and Mrs Margan's contributions to the industry was "tireless" and a "blueprint for anyone with a desire to make the Hunter Valley a must-go location". The word passion, along with dedication, can often be overused, but in the case of the 2025 Hunter Valley Tourism Living Legend, both sit comfortably with a very worthy recipient, Lisa Margan," he said. Mr Margan, he said, had tackled "the wine industry's political foes head-on" and had an "undying belief in the oldest continuous wine region in Australia". Liz Silkman, the chief winemaker at fellow Hunter label First Creek, was recognised as the Association's Winemaker of the Year, while Tyrrell's assistant vineyard manager Louise Eather was named Viticulturist of the Year for her leadership in sustainable viticulture. Rising star Alisdair Tulloch was named the Association's Young Achiever of the Year. Mr Tulloch, a manager at his father Keith's label and co-owner of Aeon Wines, was similarly lauded for his commitment to sustainable practices, securing Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification and maintaining the winery's carbon-neutral status, placing it among Australia's Top 50 vineyards. Andrew and Lisa Margan, the Hunter Valley husband and wife winemaking powerhouse, were named living legends in the region's wine and tourism industries this week at the annual Hunter Valley Legends Awards. Rydges Resort in the Hunter Valley hosted the gala event, attended by some 330 industry guests, to pay homage to the region's most respected leaders, innovators and rising stars. Andrew Margan was inducted as the 2025 Hunter Valley Wine Industry Living Legend in recognition of his long-standing commitment to securing the Hunter Valley's place among the world's great wine regions. Mr Margan's wife, Lisa, who has dedicated more than 30 years to the Hunter Valley's food, wine and hospitality scene, was similarly inducted as a Living Legend of the Hunter's tourism industry, after playing a key role in supporting countless initiatives and enriching the local community. "These awards not only honour the legends of our industry-they also highlight the talent, resilience and forward thinking that defines the Hunter Valley today," Chris Tyrrell, the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association president, said. Iain Riggs, the acclaimed winemaker who led the rise of the Brokenwood label in the Hunter, and the chair of the Association's Living Legends said Mr and Mrs Margan's contributions to the industry was "tireless" and a "blueprint for anyone with a desire to make the Hunter Valley a must-go location". The word passion, along with dedication, can often be overused, but in the case of the 2025 Hunter Valley Tourism Living Legend, both sit comfortably with a very worthy recipient, Lisa Margan," he said. Mr Margan, he said, had tackled "the wine industry's political foes head-on" and had an "undying belief in the oldest continuous wine region in Australia". Liz Silkman, the chief winemaker at fellow Hunter label First Creek, was recognised as the Association's Winemaker of the Year, while Tyrrell's assistant vineyard manager Louise Eather was named Viticulturist of the Year for her leadership in sustainable viticulture. Rising star Alisdair Tulloch was named the Association's Young Achiever of the Year. Mr Tulloch, a manager at his father Keith's label and co-owner of Aeon Wines, was similarly lauded for his commitment to sustainable practices, securing Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification and maintaining the winery's carbon-neutral status, placing it among Australia's Top 50 vineyards. Andrew and Lisa Margan, the Hunter Valley husband and wife winemaking powerhouse, were named living legends in the region's wine and tourism industries this week at the annual Hunter Valley Legends Awards. Rydges Resort in the Hunter Valley hosted the gala event, attended by some 330 industry guests, to pay homage to the region's most respected leaders, innovators and rising stars. Andrew Margan was inducted as the 2025 Hunter Valley Wine Industry Living Legend in recognition of his long-standing commitment to securing the Hunter Valley's place among the world's great wine regions. Mr Margan's wife, Lisa, who has dedicated more than 30 years to the Hunter Valley's food, wine and hospitality scene, was similarly inducted as a Living Legend of the Hunter's tourism industry, after playing a key role in supporting countless initiatives and enriching the local community. "These awards not only honour the legends of our industry-they also highlight the talent, resilience and forward thinking that defines the Hunter Valley today," Chris Tyrrell, the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association president, said. Iain Riggs, the acclaimed winemaker who led the rise of the Brokenwood label in the Hunter, and the chair of the Association's Living Legends said Mr and Mrs Margan's contributions to the industry was "tireless" and a "blueprint for anyone with a desire to make the Hunter Valley a must-go location". The word passion, along with dedication, can often be overused, but in the case of the 2025 Hunter Valley Tourism Living Legend, both sit comfortably with a very worthy recipient, Lisa Margan," he said. Mr Margan, he said, had tackled "the wine industry's political foes head-on" and had an "undying belief in the oldest continuous wine region in Australia". Liz Silkman, the chief winemaker at fellow Hunter label First Creek, was recognised as the Association's Winemaker of the Year, while Tyrrell's assistant vineyard manager Louise Eather was named Viticulturist of the Year for her leadership in sustainable viticulture. Rising star Alisdair Tulloch was named the Association's Young Achiever of the Year. Mr Tulloch, a manager at his father Keith's label and co-owner of Aeon Wines, was similarly lauded for his commitment to sustainable practices, securing Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification and maintaining the winery's carbon-neutral status, placing it among Australia's Top 50 vineyards.
