Media Release from Remarkables Park Limited
March 13, 2013

World Kitchen meets passionate local foodies

Passionate foodie Nici Wickes, host of TV travel/food show World Kitchen, respected food writer and restaurant critic will be travelling to Queenstown to critique the Remarkables Market Chef competition final on Saturday March 23.

The Remarkables Market annual Chef competition was inspired to celebrate and showcase local and regional delights at the market and unearth the hidden talents of Queenstown’s home cooks.

Each month two heats of two contestants - untrained home cooks - have been mentored by a local chef to create a mouthwatering dish.

The competition has been judged by some of Queenstown’s best chefs – Ben Batterbury – True South Dining Room & Bordeaux Wine Lounge, Josh Emett – Rata, Sam Gruar – La Rumbla, Martin James – Wai Restaurant Group, Logan Murray – Saffron, Jenny Stewart – Private Chef, Nick Westerman - Mercure Queenstown, and Ross Woodvine – Sofitel Queenstown.

Nici Wickes describes herself as “more of a Jamie Oliver than a Gordon Ramsay” and delights in discovering new recipes and food in her travels. She is about to launch her new cookbook, COOK, EAT, ENJOY on April 1, and will be touring New Zealand in early April. Otago locals will be able to catch her in Dunedin, Cromwell and Ranfurly when she visits to share tales from her travels, cooking tips she’s picked up along the way and her fun philosophy on all things cooking and eating.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what will be whipped up for the final, as Central Otago has some of our finest producers and I know there is a twist in the box,” she said.

“I understand the local talent has been exceptional this year and I can’t wait to see them in action.”

This year Executive Chef Ben Batterbury from The Rees will judge the final, and mentor chef will be Jenny Stewart, Private Chef.

“At The Rees we pride ourselves on serving the freshest and most local produce available and we are delighted to be involved in this local competition,” said Chef Batterbury.

The finalists are Lucy Thompson and Jayne McCanny who both received 95 points or above in their heat. Both will receive a mystery box of food, possibly with a twist, and will have two hours to present their meals.

Remarkables Market organisers said many thanks had to go to Deep Creek Delicatessen, Just Fish Southland Blue Cod, Cardrona Merino Lamb, Queenstown-made chorizo and steak by Zamora Homemade. Other stallholders have contributed product including Freeway Orchard, The Original Smoke and Spice Company, Parioli Extra Virgin Olive oil, and Waitiri Creek.

Prizes have been generously donated by several local businesses and the grand prize for the overall winner includes a $200 Remarkables Market voucher, a Peter Lorimer Bone handled Herb Knife from Mooch Queenstown, Mediterranean Market Cookery classes with Dave Miller, and Waitiri Creek Harriet Rose 2012. The runner up will receive a $50 Remarkables Market voucher, Waitiri Creek Drummer Boy 2011 Pinot Noir, and Luigi Bormioli Pinot Noir glasses from H&J Smith, Remarkables Park.

Remarkables Market has a busy few weeks ahead with its first ever Dog Show this Saturday March 16. Registration opens at 9.30am and there are five categories to enter your pooch, including Best Dressed, Best Bark, Best Groomed, Best Dog Trick, and Best Discipline. Entry is by donation and a can of cat food for Queenstown Cat Rescue.

The annual Easter Bunny hunt will be on Saturday March 30 from 8.30am. Children are encouraged to find the hidden bunnies and exchange them at the Market Information Stall for chocolate eggs.

Remarkables Market is a European-inspired market, open every Saturday from 8.30am to 1pm. Housed in and around Remarkables Red Barn, the market is easy to find, by following the signs from approximately 100m from the main entrance to Remarkables Park Town Centre.

ENDS

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