Emma Pritchard

After serving 150 loaves of bread, cracking 1500 eggs, and cooking 2500 sausages, the Clarence Valley Independent (at last) regained possession of the illustrious Golden Tongs.

As hundreds of hungry early risers lined up in Grafton’s Market Square from 6.30am on November 2 for the traditional free community breakfast to kickstart Jacaranda Thursday, there was plenty of friendly rivalry firing up behind the scenes, along with the barbeques.  

Hosted by the Clarence Valley Independent and the team from local radio station 2GF, the event has established a popular following in recent years with the generous and ongoing support of several well-respected businesses including Holiday Coast Meats, Farmer Lous, Mid Coast Eggs, Grafton Hire, Norco, Woolworths Grafton, and ELGAS.

While 2GF Station Manager Paul Covington firmly declared his team had become the master chefs of cooking sausages and eggs and were highly skilled at serving delicious breakfasts to diners, Clarence Valley Independent staff were equal to the task after undergoing rigorous training sessions since 2022 in a valiant effort to win back the Golden Tongs, the coveted trophy awarded to the team who emerges triumphant after a hard fought cook off.

And while Clarence Valley Independent and 2GF staff went head-to-head, working hard alongside volunteers and representatives from supporting businesses, the mouth-watering aroma of sizzling sausages, fried eggs, and fresh bread, quickly attracted a large crowd who licked their lips as they formed an orderly queue.

While many appreciative diners sent their compliments to the chefs, several returned for their second and third helpings during the morning.

Nine-year-old Tyla Monaghan said she ate four sausages and three eggs while her older brother Jaydan Saunders revealed he ate five sausages and five eggs.

“Everything was really yummy, so we wanted to come back for more,” they said.

Fruit platters and cold drinks were also available for diners as the queue continued to grow.

By the time the final slice of bread was handed out and the last eggs and sausages were lifted from the grills, the Clarence Valley Independent team started celebrating and proudly held up the Golden Tongs while congratulating the 2GF team on another rousing effort.

As this edition of the Clarence Valley Independent went to print, the trophy was being returned to its rightful place on our front counter in our Yamba office.

While gracious in defeat, the 2GF team have vowed to reclaim the Golden Tongs in 2024.