Hayden Quinn doesn’t shy away from adventure. The former Masterchef contestant travels the country for his TV show, Taste of Australia, meeting everyday Aussies and cooking up a feast as he goes. “We get out to farmers and producers and meeting people on the land and then gather up great Aussie ingredients and cook them at the end of the day,” he says. “Making good recipes that people can cook at home – that’s always the goal.”

He’s also joined the cast of the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars. “It’s a lot harder than I thought it was gonna be,” says Quinn. “You’re going to it with visions of wedding dance floors and nightclubs when you’re 21, but it’s not the same as that.”

This year the marine biologist, surfer and TV cook is bringing the same sense of adventure, glamour and, of course, good eats to the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival (from March 16 to April 20). This year Quinn is in The Smokehouse, an American-style barbeque pop-up at Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick. He’s adding a pulled-pork burger to a menu that’ll also feature an 18-hour smoked brisket, burnt ends and cheeseburgers.

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“Everyone loves a pulled pork burger, it’s a classic,” Quinn says. “We’re going to serve it with a really nice, crispy, crunchy, fresh apple slaw with my secret barbeque sauce.” In line with most of his cooking, the dish is approachable, delicious and convenient. “When you’re out having a good day you want something handheld you can eat easily.”

Quinn is serving the burgers himself at the TAB Golden Slipper Day on March 23 at Rosehill Gardens and the Star Championships Day 1 at Royal Randwick on April 6. When he’s not on the tongs, though, he’s keen to explore the rest of the food and drink offering.

“At Royal Randwick there’s a new Asian-inspired pop-up, with classic steamed dumplings, fried dumplings and yakitori skewers,” he says. “You can go from your classic burgers and food truck-style food all the way up into six-hour dining experiences at Grandview Restaurant and The Hive.

Drinks-wise, Quinn has an appropriately one-track mind considering the venue. “I love a cold beer, so I’ll be hitting up the James Squire House at Randwick,” he says. “And the Happy Clapper bar in the Winx stand is always fun.”

For Quinn, this year’s Autumn Racing Carnival is also about the entertainment. “It’s the atmosphere, it’s the sport, the fashion, the fun,” he says. “It’s a chance to get dressed up, go out and have a punt, have some good food, watch the ponies run around and enjoy a cold beverage – hopefully with the sun shining.”

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Australian Turf Club.