National cooking contest

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33061, 31 October 1972, Page 7

National cooking contest

Miss Helen Forrester, of Christchurch, was placed second equal in a recent national cooking competition, which was sponsored by Hansells (N.Z.) Ltd.

The winner was Mrs Jill Mair, of Hastings. Second equal with Miss Forrester was Mrs Barbara King, of Collingwood. Miss Carolyn Clayton, of Napier, was third, according to a news release from Wellington. The four finalists in the “Hostess of the Year” contest were selected from 120 entrants, all members of the New Zealand Federation of Country Girls’ Clubs. Mrs Mair’s menu was crayfish cocktail, lamb kebabs with boiled rice and cole slaw, followed by pavlova dessert and coffee'. In a specially set-up kitchen at the Municipal Electricitv Department, Wellington, the finalists began preparing their menus in the early afternoon. Four refrigerators, four electric ranges and all other equipment needed was provided. The four finalists served their dinners in the M.E.D. showroom to two people in each case, and dined with them in the evening. The finalists were responsible for the table decor and they wore hostess attire. Entrants, in submitting their menus had to give details of suitable New Zealand wines, and recipes for the various dishes. PRIZES FOR CLUBS Mrs Mair received a cash prize for her club, the Hastings and District Country Giris’ Club, and the other finalists were also presented with donations for their clubs. The judge. Miss Tui Flower, of Auckland, a home economist and cookery columnist, tok into account such things as the meal preparation time, cost and availability of ingredients, nutritive value, and originality. In the photograph, Miss Forrester (standing) is seen with one of her guests, Mr N. J. Judd, Miss Flower (middle), and her other guest, Mrs Irvine Yardley.