Passionate foodies battle it out for culinary honours

The first heat of the eagerly-awaited Remarkables Market Chef competition saw four Queenstown locals battling it out for top culinary honours on Saturday (December 10).

In the first of three heats, only five points separated the four competitors, who battled nerves to create a mouthwatering dish made from fresh market produce.

Each contestant was given a basket of food and had just 60 minutes to cook a complete meal – producing two plates of the same meal.

Egged on by a crowd of eager market-goers, contestants unveiled their basket to find meats and sausages sponsored by market stallholder Zamora, known for their South American and European exotic flavours.

Each competitor started with 100 points and had points deducted throughout the hour.

In heat one, Melissa Davidson scored the top mark of the day with 91 points awarded for her garlic marinated beef with Dianne sauce, roasted parmesan potatoes, roast tomatoes and blanched asparagus.

Elaine Vreeling scored second highest ay 90 points with her pan-fried fillet steak with a field mushroom and sauvignon blanc risotto served with lemon buttered carrots and asparagus.

In heat two, Adam Nagy pan-fried steak and lamb and rosemary sausage on herb polenta with oven roasted potatoes and jus and scored 88, while the colourful Sheena Haywood cooked lamb and rosemary sausage frittata with homemade chunky chips and a petite tomato salad and scored 86.

Classically-trained mentor chef Nick Westerman, Executive Chef of Mecure Queenstown, was on hand throughout each heat to gently guide each contestant through their recipes and presentation.

Judge Dave Miller of Queenstown’s Karuna Fine Cuisine had the hard job of tasting each dish and marking the contestants.

Remarkables Market manager Sherryn Smith said Remarkables Market was “privileged” to have such a high level judge, who has trained at a Michelin-starred restaurant in London, judging the competition.

Two more heats of Remarkables Market Chef will be held on January 21 and February 18. Contestants with the highest score overall from all three heats will go through to a ‘Grand Final with a twist’, set to take place on March 31.

Entries will be taken by email to market@remarkablespark.com, by registering at the information stall at Remarkables Market every Saturday between 8.30am and 1pm.

Remarkables Market has a new opening time of 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 Remarkables Red Barn, the market is easy to find, signposted from the main entrance to Remarkables Park Town Centre.