Homemade creations put to test

Tash McGowan

Out in the community, there is a ground swell of people who love cooking and are making tasty cuisine in the kitchen.

There is a real resurgence, in returning to the ways of old, in enjoying the benefits of growing and preserving produce.

The Waikato Show (Claudelands, April 7 - 9) has provided the opportunity for growers, preservers and foodies alike to showcase what they can produce, and be in to win, in their annual food competitions.

Food competition organiser Tash McGowan and brother-in-law Mike Posa are two examples.

Tash, founder of Homegrown Harvest, enjoys making things herself. This year, she took advantage of the pre-Christmas strawberry surge, to make one of her favourite sweet preserves - strawberry jam.

''Five-hundred grams of strawberries, a bit of sugar and lemon juice and it's fresher and cheaper than what you'd buy in the supermarket. And there's no preservatives!''

The Waikato Show's Food Competition received entries of marmalade and jams, in all sorts of berries and fruits, along with loads of tasty savoury delights from chutneys and preserves to black garlic sauce.

''The competition attracts people who enjoy producing their own food and is also about encouraging our community and kids to develop their skills around growing and producing food for themselves,'' Tash said.

While Tash likes things sweet, home gardener Mike Posa likes it hot. Over the past few seasons he has focused on chilli's and developing a recipe for what he calls ''every man's chilli sauce'' - not blow-your-head-off hot, but ''approachable'' enough to grab your attention and make an ideal complement to sandwiches, cold meats and even grilled chicken. ''You can buy plenty of sauces off the shelf but I just wanted to use what I'd grown.''

Mike has, so far, used the popular Jalapeno chilli but has planted the Sweet Hungarian Yellow variety this year and has his taste-buds set on a blend with hot Cayenne peppers. He also makes a point of recycling; using existing glass to bottle his sauce. He's now looking for suitably natty labels.

In its second year, the food competition features in the Homegrown Harvest section of the Waikato Show, which celebrates food produced locally and at home.

Homegrown Harvest includes an artisan food market, the food competitions and the spade to spatula fiesta, which is an interactive experience including kitchen and garden demonstrations, advice and tips.

This really is a unique attraction for enthusiasts of food, produce and product alike. Spade to Spatula will leave visitors inspired and enthused with new ideas for their home, from the base of the earth to the top of the pantry.

Guests for 2017 include Aaron Brunet, winner of MasterChef 2013, who is now a plant powered foodie helping NZ to enjoy whole, delicious, plant based foods. Editor of NZ Garden Magazine, Lynda Hallinan, will also join the team with her vast expertise in all things gardening from her expert knowledge of flowers and planting, to producing and preserving stone fruits in the harvest season.

For the 2017 food competitions, Kings Seeds has donated Rampicante Marrow seeds for a schools-based Marvellous Marrow growing section.

Among the other vegetable growing and preserves sections, there will be the popular apple pie bake and the all new cake decorating section supported by Hamilton business Cake and Kitchen.

Amateur cake decorators can rest assured there are beginner, amateur and professional categories in this section and some fantastic prizes, so it is well worth entering.

If you are interested in entering the food competitions in April, find out more at: www.homegrownharvest.org.nz or email Tash at: hello@homegrownharvest.org.nz