COTTON�S restaurant has flavoured its reputation for dining excellence with the appointment of talented international chef Jack Astin to head the award-winning kitchen team.

Spicers Hidden Vale is delighted to welcome the UK-born Astin aboard as Head Chef of its signature restaurant � home to world class Kumamoto Wagyu beef and other delights.

Jack brings a wealth of experience to the table at Spicers Hidden Vale, having worked in a range of reputed guest houses, fine dining restaurants, five star hotels and leading resorts in a career spanning more than 10 years both in Australia and the UK.

Most recently he was chef de cuisine at Marylands Country House, Yarra Valley, which was tragically destroyed by the Victorian bushfires in February 2009.

Jack as also been sous chef at leading Victorian steak restaurant The Point Albert Park as well as holding senior positions with The Park Hyatt and the Botanical Restaurant in Melbourne and Chester Grosvenor Hotel in the UK.

His particular talents with showcasing various cuts of beef will be a major drawcard for diners when Cottons re-launches as a specialty steak restaurant in early 2010, focussing on premium quality beef, perfectly cooked.

�My goal is to build on the success of Cotton�s restaurant by both nurturing and inspiring a passion for food in colleagues and customers alike,�� Jack said

�I am a firm believer in quality, locally sourced products which I enjoy using in local recipes where I can apply my own flair.��

Spicers Hidden Vale is situated on a 12,000 acre working cattle station in South East Queensland Country, just 60 minutes drive south west of Brisbane and 1.5 hours from the Gold Coast.

Exuding old-world charm and elegance in a stunning natural environment, the boutique retreat is surrounded by picturesque mountains and valleys providing a uniquely relaxing haven to unwind.

Cotton�s Restaurant, named after one of the early pioneer families who once owned the property, won the 2008 Best Hotel Restaurant crown at the Southern Downs Restaurant and Catering Queensland Awards for Excellence while the retreat itself won the 2008 Queensland Tourism Award for deluxe accommodation after reaching the finals for the previous three years.

For bookings please contact Spicers Hidden Vale on 1300 881 435 or by emailing info@spicershiddenvale.com.au

To book online, or for additional information log onto www.spicershiddenvale.com.au.

High resolution images available online at http://www.spicershiddenvale.com.au/media.asp

Media Contact: Pip Close P:+61 434 939 405