Chefs to share their secrets

Mike Walker, head chef at Mac's Steakhouse, will be doing a cooking demonstration at the Rotorua Daily Post Home and Leisure show.

Chefs from 14 local eateries will share their tricks of the trade and give tips on how to make affordable, restaurant quality food at this year's Rotorua Daily Post Home and Leisure show.

The show, which runs from July 10-12, will feature hundreds of stands, products, giveaways and prizes, with dozens of chefs cooking their signature dishes.

The demonstrations will run each day from 11am-3pm. On Saturday there will be an additional demonstration at 3.30pm.

Newcomers taking part this year are Indian Star, Mac's Steakhouse and Regent of Rotorua.

Mac's Steakhouse head chef Mike Walker said he planned to do two courses - filet mignon and seafood chowder.

"I will be doing two gluten free courses which have proved to be pretty popular on our menu.

"We have been approached in the past by Countdown who wanted to publish our seafood chowder recipe but were reluctant. Now because we are seeing gluten free meals become more and more of a trend, we want to show people how you can make fan favourites gluten free by just swapping out a few ingredients."

He said it was the first time he had been asked to do a public demonstration.

"It's not something I've ever considered doing. Obviously when I'm teaching new chefs how to make a meal I talk when I'm cooking, but never in front of a live audience.

"I am a little nervous but hopefully it will be a good demonstration and people enjoy it."

Mr Walker became a qualified chef in 2008 and has been working at Mac's Steakhouse for the last six years.

Regent of Rotorua chef Alan Haslem said he had just been informed about doing a demonstration and had not yet decided what he would cook.

COOKING DEMONSTRATION SCHEDULE:

The Rotorua Daily Post Home and Leisure Show will be held at the Energy Events Centre from July 10-12, 2015. Adults are $5, under-12s are free.

For more information visit www.rotoruahomeshow.co.nz