Sydney’s food elite review KFC degustation by Nelly Robinson

More than 20,000 people put their names down to score a seat at KFC’s 11-course degustation menu over the weekend — and Sydney’s biggest names in food were among them.

More than 20,000 people put their names down on the waitlist to score a seat at KFC’s 11-course degustation menu over the weekend — and Sydney’s biggest names in food were among them.

Pastry queen Anna Polyviou, Koi’s Reynold Poernomo and chef Mitch Orr were among those invited to try out chef Nelly Robinson’s collaboration with the fast food giant — at a warehouse in Alexandria.

And while the celebrities were paid to attend the event, they were not paid to give a review or endorse it.

Anna Polyviou peruses the La Di Da Chicken.

Polyviou — who worked at KFC growing up — said she wouldn’t put her name to anything if she didn’t believe in it.

“I’m happy to talk about the degustation because it was so good,” she said.

“For me, KFC is very special. I still use some of the fundamentals I learnt working at KFC in the kitchen now.”

As to Robinson’s menu — which included a candle that melted down into fat and was mixed with gravy, a popcorn chicken gnocchi and a frozen chocolate mousse — and matching wine list, Polyviou was impressed.

The potato and gravy candle.

The popcorn chicken gnocchi.

“Yes, it was a fun and quirky menu but I also know how hard that is to execute,” she said. “Nelly wrote a really smart menu.”

Among she joked her highlight was taking home the bucket of fried chicken at the end. “Through out the meal all I wanted was the fried chicken. Going basic is best and I definitely ate a drumstick on the way home.”

It is understood that some food identities and critics were asked to attend the event but declined.

However Polyviou — who has won the 2017 Chef of the Year award — said people needed to relax when it cames to elitism in food. “

Relax. Don’t be so arrogant. So many of us in the industry eat KFC and we love it. There is a place for it,” she said.

“And now I want to write a new dessert menu for them!”

MasterChef alumini Pete Campbell, Reynold Poernomo and Sarah Tiong.

Diners at the KFC degustation.

Former MasterChef contestant Sarah Tiong said the meal was surprising.

“Nelly Robinson is so creative and the experience was interactive, exciting and delicious. “There were of course some iconic and familiar flavours of KFC, but there were so many new tasty flavour combinations,” she said. “The whole experience really is one of a kind”.

This marketing stunt has been two years in the works for KFC but it was worth the wait, with the event making headlines around the world.

As to whether fellow fast food chains McDonalds or Hungry Jacks will follow suit, Polyviou is sceptical. “If they did they would have big shoes to fill.”

The KFC degustation event.

WHAT THEY ATE

You Call That A Burger? – A tomatoey marshmallow with secret dusting and cheese

Zinger Katsu — A mini-Zinger with a katsu jus, curry mayo and dill on a potato pillow

Supercharged Wings — Cooked over a bed of charcoal

Potato and Gravy – A gravy candle with a potato bun

Zinger Kingfish – The Zinger flavour crumbed delicately around sliced kingfish on top of yoghurt slaw with lobster

Our Twister – A dish in two parts, Tongue Twister and a Twister Sister

Popcorn Chicken – Popcorn Chicken paired with celeriac soup, mushroom gnocchi and basil topped off with an edible floral garnish

La Di Da Drumstick — The Original Recipe drumstick dusted with quinoa and gold

Chips for Dessert – Chips with wattle seed ice cream and burnt pineapple

Our Chocolate Mousse – Dipped in nitrogen

Petit Krusher – A morsel of chocolate and peppermint