THE  ‘GREAT TORA COOK OFF’

Tora’s Great Cook Off, held at Queen’s Birthday weekend, attracted a huge crowd and, with over 60 entries in the seven categories, plenty of great food. 

All the main ingredients of the entries had to be caught, killed or grown in and around the coast, and there were some very inventive recipes presented with lots of interest in the paua fritter, and seafood sections.  The under fourteen’s category drew plenty of entries with some very inventive recipes, and deserts being very popular.

Anne Dodds of Te Awaiti was the person behind the event. The winners were selected by those attending who sampled entries and cast votes for their preferences.

Stew McNeill took out the Best Wild Game title with an outstanding Venison casserole which also gained him the Best Overall Dish title. Stew also took out the Best Paua Fritter title. His cooking skills earning him a  trophy, a voucher for 2 tickets to “Toast Martinborough”, a “ King & Henry” Masterton, voucher and a Careme Cooking Classes voucher.

The Locally Farmed Animals category was won by Shirley Matthews:  who won a voucher from “ Medici” Café, Martinborough Home Grown Produce  was won by  Mary Claire Lindsay:  winning Garden voucher from “Garden Barn” Masterton, and kit-set garden arch from Pain & Kershaw

Other Seafood  was won by  Fraser Chetwin:  “Tora Coastal Walk” recipe book and tea towel
Dessert –   Lisa Malones:   Voucher for 2 tickets to “Circus Cinema” Martinborough, and Colander from ‘Mint of Martinbrough”

Kids Category winner was Ryder Malones: “ Edmonds Beginner Cookbook” from” Hedleys Bookshop” in Masterton 
Funds raised will be used to purchase a compost bin system for Tuturumuri School gardens, other gardening equipment, with the balance being used for other school projects. 

The organisers extend a big ‘Thank You’ to all the sponsors who made the event possible. The success of this first Tora Cook Off ensures that this will become an annual event.