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Remarkables Market Chef Competition sees Stars

Wednesday 23 January 2013, 1:35PM

By Remarkables Park Ltd

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Contestant Lucy Hunt final Heat 2 dish - Paella with Spicy Sausage and mussels.
Contestant Lucy Hunt final Heat 2 dish - Paella with Spicy Sausage and mussels. Credit: Remarkables Park Ltd
Contestant Fiona Mc Arthur final Heat 2 dish - Steak with onions Red Wine Sauce, Gooseberry and watercress salsa, new spuds with watercress salad.
Contestant Fiona Mc Arthur final Heat 2 dish - Steak with onions Red Wine Sauce, Gooseberry and watercress salsa, new spuds with watercress salad. Credit: Remarkables Park Ltd

QUEENSTOWN

New Zealand’s only Michelin Star chef, Josh Emett, is making a guest appearance this weekend as judge for the local Remarkables Market Chef Competition.

The annual competition is now in its second year and showcases local and regional delights whilst unearthing Queenstown’s hidden culinary talents. 

Remarkables Market Manager Sherryn Smith said: “It was an honour to have a chef of Josh’s calibre judging the competition and long-time local Jenny Stewart will also be working alongside the contestants as their supportive mentor chef.”

Contestants each receive a ‘mystery’ box of ingredients which could include award-winning gourmet free-range bacon, ham, venison salami and imported European goodies from Deep Creek Delicatessen, Just Fish Southland Blue Cod, Cardrona Merino Lamb, or Queenstown-made chorizo and steak from Zamora Homemade.  Other stallholders have also contributed products including Freeway Orchard, the Original Smoke and Spice Company, and Parioli Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Rata General Manager Fleur Caulton said: “Rata is uniquely southern as we source as much local produce as is available. We are looking forward to seeing how imaginative the homegrown cooks will be.”    

This weekend is heat 3 of the competition and eight aspiring home chefs have already competed and are eagerly waiting to hear if they have got through to the final.

The competition is open to all ages and each contestant has 60 minutes, mentored by a local chef, to create a mouth-watering dish which is then judged by one of Queenstown’s best chefs.

“The Remarkables Market has had tremendous local support from many of Queenstown’s best known eating establishments who have generously given of their time including Martin James, Wai Restaurant Group, Peter Thornley, Executive Chef, Wakatipu Grill,  Nick Westerman, Executive Chef Mercure Queenstown, Private Chef Jenny Stewart and Sam Gruar from La Rumbla,” Ms Smith said.

Places are still available and interested contestants should email market@remarkablespark.com or register at the information stall at Remarkables Market every Saturday between 8.30am and 1pm.

The remaining heat dates are January 26 and February 23, building up to the final on March 23 2013.

Remarkables Market is open from 8.30am and every weekend the early birds catch the coffee as there are 15 free coffees given away with purchases.

Housed in and around the Remarkables Red Barn, the market is easy to find and is signposted from the main entrance to Remarkables Park Town Centre.