Nick Ohlsen, Jessie Agostino, Olivia Ohlsen and James Binks are the best chefs in tennis. Photos: Oliver Jacques.
A team led by cricket star James Binks has secured the most sought-after prize on the Griffith tennis calendar – ‘Master Chef’, recognition for consistently preparing the best suppers in 2025.
The Wednesday night mixed competition focuses primarily on delicious food, with tennis the second priority. Teams try to out-bake each other by preparing extravagant cakes, flans, slices, fudges, quiches and charcuterie boards each week.
At the competition final this week, the team named Boingboings (featuring Binks, Jessie Agostino and Nick and Olivia Ohlsen) were judged to do it the best, outgunning culinary legends such as Robyn Meehan and Xavier Boucher.
Olivia’s homemade hazelnut slice, coconut fudge and caramel slice helped secure their award.
“A lot of hard work and thought goes into it,” Binks said.
“The logistics behind it is immense to put it all into place; I’m so proud of my team. We’ve honed the skills; we’ve mastered the craft. You do something you enjoy, you don’t work a day in your life mate.”
Cheese platter specialist Agostino said she wasn’t surprised by the win.
“Have you seen Binks’ snags? Have you tasted Liv’s slice? I rest my case.”
Binks, who is rumoured to be working on a Matty Hayden style cookbook, was frank when asked what advice he had for younger chefs.
“Stay out of the kitchen. There’s not going to be any room in the industry when I’m involved in it,” he said.
On the court, Xavier Boucher, Darren Amery, Jaz Kaur and Jamie Mitton from team Strings Attached won their fifth consecutive mixed comp title.
Darren Amery and Xavier Boucher were comp winners but most talk was about Xavier’s cake.
“It feels good to leave on a high note,” said Kaur, who is departing Griffith early next year.
Mitton said the team met four years ago during social tennis on a Tuesday night and had formed a strong bond since then. They will now advertise for a high-quality female replacement for Kaur.
At the other end of the ladder was the team Lord of the Strings, who took out the wooden spoon and lost almost all of their matches.
“It’s hard work to be this consistently bad,” captain Riley Holland said.
“We’re aiming for one step up next time, then we’ll take out the title.”
Riley Holland, Bec Vearing, James Mann and Ally Morona took out the least wanted prize.
Rugby player Oscar Dossetor won the super sub award and club veteran Lou Marin was given a longevity prize for his service to the club. Connor Moore took out the Gail Colling award for being a great team player. Thanks were extended to event organisers Robyn Meehan and Matt Hocking for preparation and clean-up work all year.
The next Wednesday Night Mixed competition will commence in February 2026. Message the Griffith Tennis Club Facebook page if you’re interested in taking part.
