UPDATE: The best steak sandwich in regional WA can be found in Bunbury.
The Bayview Bar and head chef Ben Elliott were crowned 2017 Australian Hotel Association’s WA winner on Wednesday when the final four cooked live at Crown Perth.
Points were awarded from the judges for presentation, creativity, meat tenderness, sauces and sides and value for money.
Mr Elliott only settled in Bunbury from Wales a few months ago and has been quick to impress the locals with his sandwich.
The meal features an MSA-graded scotch fillet steak, homemade relish, caramalised onions, salad and turkish bread.
EARLIER: Bayview Bar in Bunbury has been named as one of four regional grand finalists in the Australian Hotels Association’s WA best steak sandwich competition for 2017.
The locally created steak sanga will now be pitted against the sandwiches at Bouvard Tavern, Cervantes Bar and Bistro and Southerly’s Tavern in Port Denison in the hope of being crowned the best country steak sandwich in the state.
The country finalists will cook live in the grand final at Crown Perth on May 16.
AHA(WA) chief executive officer Bradley Woods said the response to this year’s competition has been fantastic.
“The steak sandwich is an icon on any menu and loved by many because it pulls together home style cooking, locally grown produce and still allows for creativity,” he said.
“WA has talented chefs and dedicated hospitality business owners and this competition is a great way to showcase talents and build customer loyalty.
“May the best steak sandwich win.”
PREVIOUSLY: He’s only been at the Bayview Bar for three months, but already head chef Ben Elliott is creating a stir, whipping up a steak sandwich that could soon be crowned WA’s best. The bar is Bunbury’s only competitor in the 2017 WA’s Best Steak Sandwich competition, launched by the Australian Hotels Association (AHA).
Part owner Scott Giacomel said they’ve been tweaking the steak sandwich since they took over the Bayview Bar, but recently chef Ben has taken it to another level.
“Ben’s been here for about three months and he's probably the best chef I've seen,” he said.
“We've been really happy with his work so we thought we'd really test him out with this competition.”
The local restaurant is hoping to be one of four regional finalists to make it to the next round – a live steak sandwich cook-off at the AHA Hospitality Expo in May.
“The key to ours is that we use the same steak if you were to order a Scotch fillet. So it’s MSA-graded and we trim it; it’s the best steak that you can get,” Mr Giacomel said.
“And we use Ben’s homemade relish and homemade caramelised onions and then you’ve got your lettuce, tomato and cheese - all locally sourced.
“But the key to it is the steak, the relish and the delicious Turkish bread, basically.”
Originally from Wales, Ben has travelled all around Australia and has only recently settled in Bunbury, but is already breaking ground on more than just steak at the bar.
“I can also make a mean beef pizza,” he laughs.
“But my sandwich is the best in WA – a lot of love has gone into it, it’s pretty good.”
Ben's been here for about three months and he is probably the best chef I've seen.
- Bayview Bar part-owner Scott Giacomel
The Bayview Bar are offering customers who vote for their steak sandwich the chance to win a $500 pub voucher.
“We’ve even got our own special seasoning on the steak chips as well and the coleslaw is my baby. It’s homemade mayonnaise, seeded mustard and white pepper,” he said.
“It’s what secret recipes are made of. It all just adds to a great steak sanga experience.”
Voting ends on April 17.