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Chefs inspired to get creative with local produceLatrobe City has joined with the Baw Baw and Cardinia Shires in the exciting food and wine initiative, ‘Signature Dish’, as part of the Gateway to Gippsland Food and Wine Network. By Latrobe City - 10th February 2006 - Back to News In its second year, the already successful ‘Signature Dish’ competition is open to professional chefs working in hospitality businesses. Gateway to Gippsland invites those eligible to create a signature dish using locally grown produce, and compete for $2,500 worth of prizes.
The 2006 ‘Signature Dish’ competition is now open to all chefs in the Gateway to Gippsland region, which covers local government regions of Cardinia, Baw Baw and Latrobe.
In the first stage of the competition, local chefs are required to design an innovative signature dish which they believe captures the essence of the produce grown in the ‘Gateway to Gippsland’ region.
The main ingredients of the dish must be sourced from the region, and the dish should be matched to a locally produced wine or beer.
Chefs have until Monday 20 February 2006 to submit their recipes which will be judged by a panel of food and wine specialists, who will then select three finalists to compete in a ‘cook off’ at the Harvest of Gippsland Food and Wine Festival to be held on Sunday 12 March 2006 and hosted by Gabriel Gaté.
According to the Latrobe City senior economic development officer, Leo Billington, the competition promises to be a very exciting event.
"Whether the dishes feature olives from Tyers, Noojee trout, Garfield barramundi, Moe potatoes or Moondarra blueberries, the idea of the competition is to encourage local chefs to develop direct relationships with local producers, to ensure that they are using the freshest seasonal produce available," Mr Billington explained.
"If being the winner of the Gateway to Gippsland Signature Dish competition wasn’t prestigious enough, the champion of the competition will also receive prizes to the value of $2,500, including $2,000 advertising on Southern Cross Television and Radio 3TR FM, plus a $500 cash prize sponsored by Cardinia Ranges Vignerons and Gippsland Wines for the winning chef," Mr Billington concluded.
For an entry form or for further information about the ‘Signature Dish’ competition please contact Sophie O’Neil Gateway to Gippsland Food and Wine development officer on telephone 03 5945 0403, or email s.oneil@cardinia.vic.gov.au
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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