PCA is proud to be again sponsoring the
South Burnett Regional Culinary Competition because it gives the region "a real boost".
Managing Director Mr Bob Hansen (
pictured at right with the entrants) explained this during a photo-shoot held last week to publicise the competition which will be held during Kingaroy's
Wine and Food In The Park festival on March 12, 2005.
"The South Burnett is becoming a major player in the Queensland tourism industry and we want to help it along," Mr Hansen said.
"There's so much to see and do and the food, wine and produce we provide in this area is brilliant.
"It also allows the cooks to showcase all the great things you can use peanuts for."
Steve Gudzinski, (
left), who is head chef at Explorers Restaurant in Kingaroy, has taken the Grand Champion title for the past two years but is determined to win the other categories of
Best Food and Wine Match and
Best Use of Peanut Products as well this year.
"I want to take all the titles in the competition. I've got nothing to lose this year so I'm upping the ante. I'm going all out to impress."
But Steve faces some tough competition.
Brad Clark, head chef at the Bell Tower Restaurant, plans to make an even greater impression on the judges.
Clark moved to the South Burnett last July and is a former Sous Chef of the Gold Coast Marriott and Hayman Island Resort.
Early in his career he represented Australia in competition at Singapore for the world's Hyatt chefs and was a member of the third placed team.
He has been in many competitions since and is determined to give Gudzinski a tough fight.
"But I'm also looking to have fun," he said, "and I see it more as a way to help educate people about how much talent and great produce we have here on the South Burnett region."
Ten other chefs will be competing including
Paul Stoddart of Burning Beats;
Larry McPaul, of Cider Gum in the Bunya Mountains,
Ramon Whitten of Stuart Range and
Peter Eaton of Captains Paddock.
