State’s best pubs compete for best cheap meals in AHA awards

The best pub meal under $15 is one of the most hotly-contested categories to be crowned at this year’s Australian Hotels Association’s awards. Here are the 15 mouth-watering finalists.

Food guru Matt Preston doesn’t care if people wanting to emigrate to Australia like watching sport — but they have to love schnitzels.

“Surely if they do, this marks then down as suitable candidates to embrace the wonderfully inclusive culture of this land of ours that we all so love to share,” the former MasterChef judge and delicious columnist said.

So no doubt Preston would love to be at the judging table this week when some of the best schnitties, parmies, steaks, pies and rissoles in NSW go head-to-head for the title of best pub meal under $15.

delicious columnist Matt Preston says it is un-Australian not to love schnitzels. Picture: Sarah Matray

Not for these the doubtful delights of a fine dining smear of this or a jus of that.

Instead it’s honest food and plenty of it, although the standards are obviously high.

The crumb coating must be crisp, not greasy, the steaks lean and flavoursome and the pies crusty and well-filled.

It’s a formula that has helped 15 pubs across NSW earn their place in the Australian Hotels Association grand final for best meal under $15, which will be announced at a black tie awards ceremony on Tuesday night.

West Kempsey Hotel’s sizzling fajita plate.

The Mercantile’s pie and mash.

The Railway Hotel in Parkes’ schnitty.

The Northern Star Hotel’s pie and mash.

Among them is the Mercantile Hotel in The Rocks whose Shamrock Pie — made on the premises and served with mash and mushy peas — was recognised by AHA judges for its “plentiful fillings and crispy pastry”.

Pub manager Martin O’Keefe said they sell about 160 pies of them a week.

“We sell out every day so it’s just a matter of making enough to get as far into the lunch service as we can,” O’Keefe said.

The Parkview Hotell’s steak.

The Jacaranda Hotel’s ribs.

The Macksville Hotel’s beef burger.

The Seaview Hotel’s schnitty.

A surprise finalist in just their first year entering the awards is the Chelmsford Hotel in Kurri Kurri, which has earned a nod for its certified Angus sirloin, which was lauded by judges for its low fat content and perfect cooking technique.

Licensee Laura Johnson, who took over the family business in 2009, said the steak had earned cult status at the hotel where it’s only served on Fridays such is the demand.

Ciara Corcoranat The Mercantile Hotel in The Rocks with their beef and Guinness pie. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The Shelbourne Hotel’s schnitty.

The Royal Hotel at Darlington’s steak.

The Bradford’s schnitty.

“It’s not a dish we really make any money on but it’s definitely our most popular and we like to serve it on a Friday so people can start their weekends right,” she said.

The Bradford Hotel in Rutherford made its way to the final on the back of the only pescetarian pub dish on the shortlist — the $14 salmon rissoles served with chips and salad which judges deemed simply “excellent”.

The Burrawang Village Hotel’s rump steak.

The Chelmsford Hotel’s steak and chips.

The Rutherford Hotel’s schnitty.

The Prince of Wales’ burger.

AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said the “cheap eats” category is one of the most hotly contested at the annual awards.

“There’s no doubt parmies, steaks or burgers are some of the most popular meals in any pub and we are seeing some of the best right here,” Mr Whelan said.