Presenters Johanna Griggs and ‘Fast Ed’ Halmagyi made a grand entrance into Mudgee flying over the Capertee Valley. 

“We’re here for the food and wine but you can’t visit Central NSW without taking in the breathtaking formations that make up the western edge of the mighty Great Dividing Range,” Johanna Griggs said from the chopper. 

“This is actually one of the biggest canyons in the world, some people say the biggest, even bigger than the Grand Canyon,” chef  Ed Halmagyi added. 

“Mudgee in Central NSW is known as a gourmet paradise, round here you can get anything from beef, lamb, nuts, honey, wine and some of the best chocolate in Australia.”

The pair hit the road making their first stop at 29 nine 99 Yum Cha and Tea House in Rylstone. 

“Dumpling lovers from all over the country make a pilgrimage here,” Griggs said.

“It’s a little piece of China right in the middle of NSW.”

Griggs met with chef Na Lan for a dumpling master class while Halmagyi made a Hungarian noodle dish using ingredients from the Rylstone community garden and produce from around the area.

The crew moved on to Spencer Cocoa, meeting with chocolatier Luke Spencer and making a decadent slice in his family kitchen.

Their Mudgee recipe road trip was wrapped up at Lowe Wines where Griggs interviewed winemaker David Lowe. 

“It’s stunning country and the produce is second to none,” she said. 

“I’m so in love with this part of the world.”