I was surprised when I received an email from Pam Jewson asking me to suggest people who might like to be judges for the Golden Plate Awards as we have history. I didn’t reply. I was even more surprised to hear from somebody who had been contacted who said the Golden Plate Awards were using my name in association with this scheme – especially as I gave evidence against them at Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) on behalf of former chief judge Stephen Downes.
Jewson says they aren’t using my name: “The only place I am aware there is a link is on your own web site…If you do not wish to have your name associated, I would suggest you may
want to remove it from your list of creds.” I think she’s playing games.
Downes quit after he discovered that Pam Jewson also was the PR agent for several of the restaurants that entered the awards in adddition to being the administrator of the awards. It’s a massive potential conflict of interest. They didn’t want to pay Downes despite the fact he completed judging and he won his case. The Geelong Advertiser reported on some of the story in addition to a bizarre hacking of the awards’ website
During the case the organisers claimed they paid me for my first year of judging which they didn’t. On the second year they did pay a small amount that amounted to petrol money really but they didn’t pay my GST and this is why I quit in addition to the general poor quality of venues – pubs generally serving bought in food that is deep fried. Under GST law whatever I invoice I have to add 10% GST.
I’m not going to go into all the petty details but it smacked of amateurism.
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I heard only yesterday that Pam Jewson and husband Digby Hughes were back at the cauldron brewing up a new version of the utterly disgraceful “The Golden Plate Awards”. Stephen Downes’ discoveries are only the tip of the iceberg. I’m appalled that these people are able garner support from Telstra, Channel Nine and the like. One thing you must say about Geelong. Don’t slag off anything like this, no matter how tainted or dishonest it might seem if you live down here or you will probably end up being ripped to shreds by the enlightened local media. If you have any media influence in Melbourne I urge you to give these “paper plates” and their promoters the exposure they “really” deserve.
Glad I found your article. “Thanx Google”
Sounds like the Golden Plate tried to give you a golden shower.
Thanks Steve, I guess I’ve been polite and if anybody wants to get hold of the VCAt finding it will make interesting reading. I was quite surprised that the awards are still going.
And let’s not even mention the Pubic Hair Incident.
Ed
Sorry if it put my foot in it but I was invited by Pam to judge this year. My response was to send her a copy of your blog.
It seemed the most dignified response at the time.
See you in court
Richard Cornish
Oh By the way – this is the email I was sent
XXXX from Tourism Vic has kindly given me your contact details in my quest to find a new Judge for the Golden Plate Awards, a prestigious food award for South West Vic which has been running since 2004.
The awards have been headed up by Stephen Downes for the past 5 years but this year we feel it is time to bring some new fresh faces and palates into the judging mix.
All judges are National food writers or revievers, names that have been on our judging panel have included Kate Mcghie, Janet Lillie, Ed Charles and Kevin Maloney we are also in discussion with M….
Kind Regards
Pam
Pamela Jewson
Maxim Public Relations & Marketing Pty. Ltd.
Geelong Business Network
Golden Plate Awards
GPO Box 338, Geelong, Victoria 3220