RESIDENTS throughout Swan Hill will be cooking up a storm ahead of this year’s Show.
Cookery head steward Jenny Asling said this section had always been a popular feature, attracting a large cross section of entries, from all age groups.
“Cookery has always been a big part of the pavilion,” Ms Asling said.
“A lot of country people have been brought up with home cooking and this skill has been passed on to future generations.”
Ms Asling said she has been involved in the Show for around eight years, and enjoyed watching it all come together.
“It’s a small army that runs a big show,” she said.
“We’re always open to more volunteers.”
Relocating to the region in 1980, Ms Asling said the Show had always played a pivotal role in her life, with her extended family heavily involved in the equestrian events.
Having owned Melody’s Kitchen in Swan Hill for 15 years, Ms Asling said cooking has always been a passion.
“I love cooking, especially cakes and slices,” she said.
“I like trying out different recipes.”
Ms Asling said the Show played an important role in bringing the community together.
“It provides an opportunity to showcase what our town can do,” she said.
“People don’t realise how capable they are until they give it a go.”
With junior and senior categories, the cookery section is open to all, and includes many different classes, including cakes, biscuits, slices, muffins, chocolate crackles and honey joys.
She also encouraged local businesses to consider placing an entry in the Business House Cookery Challenge, with this year’s entrants to bake a banana cake.
Ms Asling said the Show Society Cook Off was also hotly contested.
Open to Show Society members, entrants put their culinary skills to the test, preparing an uncooked slice, with the winner taking out the perpetual trophy.
“It can get a bit competitive,” Ms Asling laughed.
