Delicious aromas wafted about at the Wairarapa Farmers' Market on Saturday, as an award-winning chef showed how to cook local ingredients.
The demonstration was part of Out Standing in their Fields, a nationwide series of Farmers' Market cooking shows by top Kiwi chefs. Wellersley Boutique Hotel head chef Marc Soper
"jumped at the opportunity" to do a cooking demonstration at the market, after being invited by Farmers' Markets NZ.
Born and raised in Marlborough, Mr Soper has recently relocated to Wellington and has not had a chance to explore Wairarapa, "which is a shame, because it's really beautiful". He said he often used to do a Sunday morning cooking demonstration at the market in his hometown.
On Saturday Mr Soper's demonstration dishes included lamb, a German pasta called spatzli, a blue cheese and mushroom wonton and an apple and fennel salad - with most of the ingredients coming from the market.
"The big thing as a chef coming to the farmers' market is having a relationship with the people who grow the vegetables," he said.
