The Entertainment Grounds has named multi-award-winning Darren Ho as its Head Chef. Darren, the former head chef at Grace Hotel Sydney and Le Terroir, at Hungerford Hill Winery, Hunter Valley, will work alongside Operations Manager Matthew Hill to further develop catering and F&B offerings at the renamed The Entertainment Grounds.
The overall vision of the pair is to become the premium function and entertainment space on the Central Coast by continually raising the culinary level at The Entertainment Grounds once known as Gosford Race Club. While the name has changed several years ago, the audience remains the same with punters happy with simple offerings rather than any attempt at fine dining – for the moment.
During a recent meeting, Darren sold just two pork roasts of the day, but the pork rolls with crackling and apple sauce trotted off the shelves. The chef is also looking to raise the standard of offerings such as the quality of compulsory items such as schnitzel.
While schnitties, pies and chips and pork rolls satisfy those in general admission, Darren also has to provide “gold plate” meals for the members’ Panorama lounge, which includes an entree, main and dessert, plus offer a grazing-plate session for owners and connections who have been escorted up to Chairman’s Lounge to be entertained after their horse wins.
“We are just trying to do something better and expand on the favourites,” he says, no pun intended. “You don’t want to rock the boat too much.”
The chef is also enjoying the change of pace, coming from leading 5-star hotels and almost 100 trips overseas a year for one employer in a past life.
“I bought a new apartment in South Gosford, on the 10th floor overlooking Brisbane Waters and it takes me all of two minutes to drive to work.”
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