Please note: this is an old article
It was published in May 2013, so the information may be out-of-date.
It was a tough choice, but in the end, Mums chose the dish of Chef Dave Torrens from Friars Cafe as the winner of the Mum Knows Best Chefs' Challenge.
The competition was part of Celebrate Mums, a campaign initiative from Shepparton Show Me to encourage people to come to Shepparton's CBD and see what local retailers, eateries and other businesses have to offer leading up to Mother's Day.
Chef Dave Torrens (Friars Cafe) Lebe Luzuriaga (The Lemon Tree) and Russell Hall (The Teller Collective) joined in Fryers Street on Saturday for the Mum Knows Best Chefs' Challenge cook off. A panel of local mum judges chose their favourite dish from an outstanding selection, making their decision on presentation, taste, and local ingredients used.
The Chefs' Challenge was just part of a whole morning of activities including "Kids Cupcake Decorating", a "Spice up BBQ Cooking" presentation by Jason Bathman of Barbeques Galore Shepparton and a "How to match Food and Wine" session by Paul Phillips of Phillips Cellars. There were also local shopping voucher give-aways to help those who hadn't quite decided what to get Mum for Mother's Day.
"The impressive aspect of this campaign is that Council, business and the community have all worked together," said Greater Shepparton City Cr Michael Polan, Chair of the Shepparton Show Me committee. "Building our local economy is not the sole responsibility of business or of Council, it is something we all need to work together to achieve, and it is something that has benefits for all of us."
Feedback from attendees was very positive. Among comments received, one said:
"The cooking event is fantastic. It's family focused, [and] the kitchen is the hub of the home. A great idea leading up to Mother's Day."