The Hellenic Museum will be defending its Cook Off champion title on Sunday 23 October, again represented by Bahari’s chef Phil Vakos against the Islamic Museum of Australia, the Jewish Museum of Australia and Museo Italiano (Co.As.It.).

Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, the Carlton Italian Festa will play host to this year’s Cook Off, which will be broadcast live on 774 ABC Melbourne and across ABC Victoria by Sunday mornings presenter Libbi Gorr and Brian Nankervis from The Friday Revue.

The Cook Off challenges four contemporary chefs to show off their culinary skills by cooking a meal inspired by their cultural backgrounds, whilst celebrating the vibrancy of Melbourne’s multicultural communities.

Each dish will be put to the test by four judges also representing each museum; respected TV journalist George Donikian (Hellenic Museum); Executive Producer SBS Radio Italian Program, Magica Fossati (Museo Italiano); comedian and Creative Director of Melbourne Jewish Comedy Festival, Justine Sless (Jewish Museum); and Australian Rules Footballer for the Gold Coast Suns, Adam Saad (Islamic Museum).

Participating chefs will have just over an hour to prepare from scratch a main dish from their culture, which must be vegetarian and contain no alcohol.

Both Phil Vakos and Islamic Museum’s Samira El Khafir who penned Eat with Love, have previously appeared on MasterChef Australia and represented their cultural heritage in last year’s event.

Guy Hamawi, an expert in Jewish Sephardi Mediterranean cuisine and Giulia Biviano; author of the cookbook Dolci di Casa Nostra will join the 2016 Cook Off representing the Jewish and Italian museum respectively.

Winner of the Multicultural Cook Off in 2015, Phil Vakos said he is excited to be celebrating the Cook Off again in 2016.

“Melbourne’s food scene is a melting pot of different cultures and that’s why it’s so unique! I’m looking forward once again to being part of the Museums Cook Off and celebrating this Multicultural Community we live in.”

“I’ll proudly defend my title and represent the Hellenic Museum, and can’t wait to see what diverse creations will be showcased on the day,” Vakos enthused.

Where: at the Italian Festa at Argyle Square, Carlton (entrance is free)
When: Sunday 23 October from 9.45am until midday