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Prince Of Neilsons Wins Signature Dish CrownA talented local chef and locally produced, fine ingredients came together to create the winning dish at the Star News Group Gateway Gippsland Signature Dish competition held at the By Latrobe City - 27th March 2007 - Back to News Harvest of Gippsland Food and Wine Festival at Lardner Park on Sunday.
According to Latrobe City’s acting manager economic development, Leo Billington, it was standing room only at the Baw Baw Pavilion where a packed crowd watched the three finalists, John Snelling from The Outpost in Noojee, Phillip Hunter from Jack’s at Jindivick and Neilson’s Lewis Prince, compete in the cook off hosted by popular television personality chef, Gabriel Gate.
"The judging panel of food and wine experts, including Miranda Sharp, Alan Harding, and Tommy Tarranto, unanimously agreed that Prince’s dish of Latrobe rabbit, Gippsland Blue and Glen Haven hazelnut tortellini served with Hazelwood smoked truss tomatoes and Gippsland verjuice butter sauce matched with Ada River Pinot Gris 2003 was the outright winner of the competition and $2000 worth of prizes," Mr Billington said.
"Signature Dish judge, Miranda Sharp commented that Mr Prince’s dish was a fine illustration of quality, local ingredients with a lovely combination of flavours and beautifully presented, but it was the wine match that elevated all the components of the dish," Mr Billington explained.
"Gabriel Gate and the judges specifically commented on how much more local produce featured this year. Since the cook off began three years ago chefs have begun to develop ongoing relationships with local producers, which is exactly what the Signature Dish Competition is all about," Mr Billington said.
Mr Billington added that Gabriel Gate had further emphasised the importance of the relationship between the chefs and the producers by interviewing some of the producers of the ingredients including Frank Mamaj from LVE Gourmet Produce, based at the Hazelwood Pondage, who grew the rabbits and tomatoes used in the winning dish, along with Peter Kelliher from Ada River Vineyard.
According to Mr Mamaj, having a well known restaurant such as Neilsons select their ingredients from LVE Gourmet Produce is testament to its quality.
"We have strived hard to achieve and maintain high standards of freshness and quality and we are delighted that Lewis Prince has showcased our ingredients to a wider audience. To win the Signature Dish competition is a huge accolade for Lewis Prince and we congratulate him," Mr Mamaj said.
Neilson’s restaurant owner, Brad Neilson, said that Lewis Prince commenced his apprenticeship at the former Café G in 1996 which is now the home of Neilsons.
"Lewis has been tantalising the tastebuds of Gippslanders for a good while and has now developed a loyal clientele. The restaurant has been recognised by The Age Good Food Guide for six consecutive years, due in no small part to the outstanding menu and presentation of food, as well as the relaxed ambience of the restaurant. Lewis is very deserving of his win in this cook off," Mr Neilson concluded.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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