Market Magic Box Cooking Competition
Saturday the 10th of September had a number of first for the Otago Farmers Market. It was the first time that we extended the market out onto Anzac Ave and it was the first time that we held a cooking competition at the market.
It was basically Farmers Market New Zealand versus the Otago Farmers Market . Farmers Market New Zealand brought their new mobile kitchen to the market, which was an impressive unit complete with television screens so that people could see what the chef were creating. Representing Farmers Market New Zealand, Outstanding in their fields kitchen, was Steve Ellwood and Tony Heptinstall from Otago Polytechnic, two very talented and entertaining chefs.
Cooking up a storm for The Otago Farmers Market resident Market Chef and local food hero Alison Lambert and her husband Simon.
The two teams were asked to create 3 dishes for 3 judges in only 35 minutes, from a box of unknown ingredients. And while at times we were unsure if both teams would make it, they did manage to plate up some delicious dishes for the judges to sample.
John Marable, Angela Anderson and Jane Soper, were the judges tasked with finding out who was the better team and it was a very close call – One vote for the Otago kitchen, one vote for the Out Standing kitchen, and one squarely on the fence. So the result was inconclusive and the competition was declared a draw.
Not satisfied with the result both teams are keen for a rematch and hopefully we will be able to arrange for a rematch sometime in the future.
Farmers Market New Zealand have a blog for this event and you can find out more about this event by clicking here.