Media Release from Remarkables Park Ltd
Wednesday November 30 2011

Remarkables Market Chef competition searches for Queenstown’s best amateur ‘foodie’

The hugely popular Remarkables Market in Queenstown is counting down the days to the first heat of its inaugural and eagerly-awaited Remarkables Market Chef competition.

The European-inspired market, now in its second successful summer, will launch the first heat of the competition on Saturday December 10.

Organisers are looking forward to discovering Queenstown’s hidden culinary talents, with aspiring home chefs urged to put their name forward – or that of a friend – for the competition.

Using fabulous market produce, each month two heats of two contestants will be mentored by a local chef to create a mouth-watering dish – judged by some of Queenstown’s best chefs.

Contestants each receive a ‘mystery’ basket of food which could include award-winning gourmet free-range bacon, hams, venison salamis and imported European goodies from Deep Creek Delicatessen, Fiordland blue cod from Fresh Fish Brothers, 100% free-range pork from Southland-based Kapuka Pork, or Queenstown-made chorizo by Zamora.

Other ingredients in the mix include Paroli Olive Oil, Cup and Cake organic ingredients, original Marlborough Sea Salt blended with manuka-smoked garlic tumble-roasted with shallots, coriander, mustard seeds and chilli from Original Smoke and Spice, and dry ingredients from Cherry Blossom Cakes.

The competition is open to all ages and each contestant, with a mentor chef on hand, will have 60 minutes to whip up a culinary delight.

All competitors will take home a Remarkables Market apron, and the overall winner, chosen in a nailbiting finale on Saturday March 31, will walk away with a $200 Remarkables Market voucher.

Queenstown’s reputation as a satisfying melting pot of international cuisine was recently reinforced by a top award from the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice 2011 Food and Wine Destination Awards.

“We just know we live in ‘foodie heaven’ and there are lots of passionate food lovers out there who will be up for the challenge,” said Sherryn Smith, Market Manager.

“A range of fresh, locally-grown or made produce we have weekly here at the market will be available for some exciting creations.”

Entries will be taken by email to market@remarkablespark.com, by registering at the information stall at Remarkables Market every Saturday between 8.30am and 1pm, or by calling in to More FM Queenstown fortnightly on Fridays at 8.10am. Entry questions will also be on the Remarkables Market Facebook page.

The heat dates are December 10, January 21 and 18 February, building up to the final on March 31.

December brings a festive mood to the Remarkables Market. Visitors are encouraged to say hello to Santa in his grotto each week between 10am to midday. On the December 3 Santa’s little helpers will be helping visitors to make free Christmas decorations while being entertained by lots of local talent including the Queenstown Choral Choir and Impulse Jazz and Blues.

Remarkables Market has a new opening time of 8.30am, and every weekend the early birds catch the coffee as there are 15 free coffees given away with purchases.

Housed in and around Remarkables Red Barn, the market is easy to find, signposted from the main entrance to Remarkables Park Town Centre.

© Scoop Media