Restaurant Personality of the Year Jonny Schwass is Out Standing up for Canterbury
Christchurch, Sept 19, 2011.
Local chef legend Jonny Schwass showed Christchurch Farmers’ Market crowds what our region is made of at last Saturday’s
Out Standing in their Fields cooking demo, part of a series of nationwide free and live chef and producer cooking shows.
After a shaky year and the relocation of RWC events, the way Schwass sourced all his ingredients for his cooking show
locally and seasonally from the market on the morning is reminding the region what we’re all about.
Schwass is genuinely passionate about supporting his region. “What I love about Canterbury is the people. Their ability
to adapt to new challenges and to see the positive in often very negative situations. I love the rural connection the
city has with its country cousins. Canterbury is my home and produces the best food I have had the pleasure to prepare
in my 25 years of professional cooking.” Schwass also reiterated more practical reasons for buying local. “Cooking with
local ingredients is important to me because it supports the small farmers and gives them and their families a future.
It is a great way to connect with the season of the region and help to nurture the blossoming food culture we have.
Ultimately it just tastes better to cook with food sourced as close to the stove as possible.”
Christchurch’s Market VIP and 14 year old chef-in-the-making Alex Cathro was thrilled to meet Schwass, a long time idol
and source of culinary inspiration. Alex’s mother Sally loves that Christchurch Farmers’ Market gets Alex out of bed on
a Saturday morning, and their family are now recognised regulars.
Farmers’ Markets NZ is steering the shows as part of the REAL New Zealand Festival 2011, to encourage more dollars to
stay within our borders. Farmers’ Markets NZ Chairperson Chris Fortune believes that “supporting Farmers’ Markets means
supporting local producers and communities, developing relationships between both producers and consumers.” Various
businesses have jumped up to support New Zealand’s transition to a food image more in line with our “clean green” one,
including Interislander, Taste Magazine, FMG Insurance, and The Breeze, which will also be broadcasting the shows and
offering prizes to listeners.
ENDS