The Chef, the Wench and the Winemaker — a long lunch to remember

Something special is coming to the Barrelroom this September — and seats are filling fast. We’re thrilled to announce The Chef, the Wench and the Winemaker, an exclusive long lunch experience in Barrelroom Wine Lounge. Taking place on September 12th and 13th, this is an experience that will stay with you long after the last glass is poured.

This special collaboration brings together Chef Ian from Underground Chef, Lisa from Saucy Wench, and Boxi Zhen from Ballandean Estate Wines for a food and wine experience full of flavour, story and regional hospitality.

It’s a meeting of cultures, kitchens and vineyards — Japanese, Malaysian, Italian and Chinese influences brought together. Expect bold sauces, handcrafted dumplings, slow-cooked beef cheeks, and perfectly paired wines from Ballandean Estate. 

Seats in the Barrelroom are strictly limited, and just $120 per booking for two people.

Event tickets here.

Three creators. One unforgettable experience.

This collaboration brings together three of the region’s most exciting culinary and wine minds:

Chef Ian — The Underground Chef

Chef Ian is known for pushing boundaries with bold, innovative Asian flavors that are as surprising as they are satisfying. His food doesn’t just taste extraordinary — it tells a story.

Lisa — The Saucy Wench

Lisa brings an irresistible energy to every table she touches. Expect wit, warmth, and the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like a guest in someone’s home rather than a diner in a restaurant.

Boxi Zhen — Ballandean Estate Winemaker

Since joining us in late 2022, Boxi has brought a world of experience to our Granite Belt terroir — from the Napa Valley to South Australia to Qingdao. His minimal-intervention philosophy and instinct for coaxing the best from every varietal make him the perfect partner for a menu as adventurous as this one.

A menu built to linger over

Each course has been thoughtfully designed to complement the bold character of Ballandean Estate’s cool-climate wines.

Course One Trio of Chicken Yakitori, Duck Spring Roll & Pork and Prawn Shu Mai

A vibrant, flavor-packed opening that sets the tone for the evening — delicate textures meeting the bright acidity of our Granite Belt whites.

Course Two Tempeh & Glass Noodle Dumpling

A beautifully crafted vegetarian course that rewards the patient palate — earthy, subtle, and deeply satisfying alongside a glass of estate Chardonnay.

Course Three Asian-Style Beef Cheek with Asian Mushroom Jus

The showstopper. Slow-cooked to melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, this dish is the perfect partner for Boxi’s robust, character-driven Shiraz — a pairing that feels like it was written in the stars.

Reserve your tickets before they sell out

This is a genuinely exclusive experience — the Barrelroom seats a limited number of guests, and demand for events like this is always high. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, planning a weekend getaway to the Granite Belt, or simply looking for an evening that goes beyond the ordinary, this is the one.

Ballandean Estate is an easy drive from Brisbane, Toowoomba, the Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast — so make a weekend of it. We’ll take care of the rest.

Book your tickets.