Susanna Freymark
Kyogle chef Shelly Snadden cooked her heart out at the Sample Food Festival in Bangalow yesterday, Saturday, September 7.
Kyogle councillor Danielle Mulholland was by her side in the My Mayor Rules cook-off.
Kyogle mayor Kylie Webster was unable to attend so former mayor Danielle stepped up.
They were given a mystery box of ingredients on the day and had to whip up sample plates in only 20 minutes.
All the ingredients were sourced from the Northern Rivers.
In the first round, Shelly and Danielle were pitted against Lismore mayor Steve Krieg who was teamed with Iohne Simpson from The Spotted Pig in Lismore.
“It was a mystery box and we had no idea what was in it,” Shelly said.
“In that round we made pork belly cooked in a Davidson plum glaze served on a herb salad with quark cheese coated with toasted macadamias.”
It wasn’t easy to make a tasty dish in such a short time.
“That was a little intimidating but we managed to win that round to make it through to the grand final,” Danielle said.
Mayors from Byron Bay and Ballina and their chefs held their rounds.
It was Byron mayor Michael Lyons with chef Tyrone Hunt from Forest at Crystalbrook Byron Bay who made it to the grand final against the Kyogle team.
Danielle said Shelly got really creative and “I did as I was told.”
“There were nuts flying, cheese crumbled, onions caramelised, parsley, spinach – too many ingredients to mention but she did a cracker of a job,” Danielle said.
The public tasted the dishes and chose their favourite – and it was Shelly and Danielle’s that won – a caramelised onion chorizo in a creamy tomato sauce topped with quark cheese and crispy pancetta pasta.
“I’ve never entered a comp before, I was over the moon,” Shelly said.
“I’ve had a few really hard years so to bring the win home was amazing.
“I was so proud of her, I got tears in my eyes and was fit to burst,” Danielle said.
“I am so passionate about cooking wholesome food. It makes me happy to see people enjoying my food,” Shelly said.
and then