The Blue Ribbon Cookbook

PLEASE GO TO OUR NEW WEBSITE

2010-09-21T11:26:00.002+09:30

The Blue Ribbon Cookbook has a new website. This site is no longer being updated.
To order books, sign up for Liz Harfull's blog and find out more about The Blue Ribbon Cookbook please go to www.blueribboncookbook.com.au

You have to be in it to win it...

2010-06-17T15:23:00.004+09:30

Don't forget entries close tomorrow for cookery classes at the 2010 Royal Adelaide Show, coming up in September. So far numbers are on a par with last year, but the society would love more.
Click here for a copy of the entry form and schedule of classes at www.theshow.com

Having your cake and eating it too

2010-06-13T13:01:00.004+09:30

Irresistible gourmet cakes and savoury finger food made by 20 or more Adelaide identities are on the menu for a special event in Adelaide on Sunday, June 20. 'Having Your Cake and Eating it Too' is a High Tea extravaganza organised as part of BITE - A Feast of Writing and Eating. The session at 3.30pm will feature Blue Ribbon Cookbook author Liz Harfull as a speaker, and a range of community identities reflecting on their cookery passions. The full program starts at 1pm with a session featuring Genevieve Harris,food/wine editor for Sumptuous Magazine, Sticky Rice Cooking School chef Ray Tyndale, Teri Louise Kelly author of Sex, Knives and Bouillabaisse - a twisted chef’s life in swanky hotels , and Roxxy Bent, award winning playwright, TV and short story writer. For more information visit the website or phone (08)8463 0684.

Blue ribbon does the red carpet

2010-05-07T16:55:00.000+09:30

They are described as the Oscar equivalent of the Food World. And what a night it was...
The World Food Media Awards were announced in Adelaide this week, and Blue Ribbon Cookbook author Liz Harfull was there to enjoy the experience together with celebrity chefs, authors and food writers and broadcasters from around the world.
Liz became a finalist in the category for Best Hard Cover Cookbook (under 35 Euros) after her book was shortlisted by an international panel of 60 jurors.
"I didnt win, but I felt like a winner just being in the room," Liz said. "It was an amazing night with great food and wine as you would expect, and I had the chance to meet some of my idols in the world of food and food writing."
A total of 24 gold ‘ladles’ were handed out to winners from the USA, New Zealand, France, Australia, Spain, Cambodia, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom.
The audience included the UK’s Antony Worrall Thompson and Rosemary Shrager, Antonio Carluccio, Ian Parmenter (the organiser and host for the evening), Maggie Beer, Manu
Fieldel, Paul Mercurio, Poh, Frank Camora, Simon Bryant, Phillippe Clergue, Alan Saunders, and the team from The Age's Epicurean section.

More Blue Ribbon success

2010-04-21T12:55:00.004+09:30

The Blue Ribbon Cookbook has been nominated for the 2010 Le Cordon Bleu World Food Media Awards, due to be announced in Adelaide on May 3 as part of Tasting Australia. It is the second international accolade for the book which was named runner-up out of 56 finalists from around the world in the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Paris last year.
Known as the Ladles, the World Food Media Awards are held every two years, with categories for a wide variety of food and drink broadcasting and publishing, from books and magazines to journalism, photography, TV and the internet.
Liz Harfull's book about country show cooks and their prize-winning recipes is nominated in the category for Best Hard Cover Recipe Book (under 35 Euros).
Two other books published by Wakefield Press have been shortlisted in the Best Food Book category - Lolo Houbein's 'One Magic Square', and 'Everything but the squeal' by John Barlow.

Not Belgium... but Singapore to a tea..

2010-04-20T12:33:00.003+09:30

As president of an Australian organisation representing people who write and communicate about food and farming, Liz is meant to be in Belgium this week meeting with peers from around the world. But thanks to volcanoes in Iceland, she found herself trapped en route in Singapore for four days before aborting her plans altogether and coming home unexpectedly early.
What to do as compensation? High tea at Raffles was on the agenda until a Singapore resident warned her they now use tea bags - a completely unacceptable development to a keen tea drinker who also collects tea pots!
Instead, Liz discovered two treasures that were almost compensation for missing out on all that Belgian chocolate - high tea at the Shangrila Hotel (102 kinds of tea offered to accompany an amazing selection of savoury and sweet dishes in elegant surroundings); and the TWG Tea company, which sells more than 200 kinds of tea including a fabulous Singapore breakfast tea and hard-to-get first-flush, finest orange pekoe picked from the highest altitudes of some of the world's best tea estates. Nothing like a good cuppa to soothe the travel-tortured nerves.

Art Life Chooks

2010-03-18T16:22:00.002+10:30

Noosa Show blue ribbon champ Annette Hughes writes about her experiences in regional Queensland on her great blog, Art Life Chooks. Apparently Annette is well known for her rosella jam, made from home-grown produce. Catch up with her latest experiences at http://annettehughes.blogspot.com/

Slow day at the show

2010-03-06T18:42:00.003+10:30

Slow Food members will be gathering in the Barossa on March 13 to explore all things food at the annual Tanunda Show, where competitive classes are strongly influenced by the famous valley's German traditions. Fiercely contested cookery competitions at the show include special championships classes for German yeast cake, dill pickles and rote grutze (a dessert made from wine grapes and sago, featured The Blue Ribbon Cookbook).
Mark MacNamara, award winning chef of Appellation Restaurant at Marananga will introduce the Slow Food group to Barossa produce on display at the show. The group will also be joined by Angela Heuzenroeder, author of “Barossa Food”.
And for lunch, members will sit down at the show's extremely popular Magpie Café, set under grandstand, where this year's menu offers a Local Producer’s Barossa Platter: Three Butchers, Three Bakers, Two Cheese Makers & Condiments (bread, mettwurst, lachsschinken, babybel, gruth, dill cucumbers and chutney);“Hutton Vale” Lamb and Vegetable Pie made with fresh vegetables, Carême Pastry glazed with egg and served on a bed of mashed potato; and award-winning Barossa wines.

Testing your cooking skills at a show near you

2010-02-11T17:53:00.004+10:30

Think you have the potential to be a prize-winning show cook? South Australia's autumn show season starts on February 20 in the Adelaide Hills, with the popular Uraidla Show. Held on picturesque, shady grounds just a few kilometres from the city centre, the show offers the perfect opportunity to experience a country show without travelling too far.
Coming up next is the Angaston show on February 27 and 28, followed by Mannum and the special centenary show at Mundulla on March 6, Tanunda on March 13, Maitland on March 17, Mt Pleasant on March 20, Cleve on March 27 and Mount Barker on March 27 and 28.
Cookery entries usually close a week or so before the event. For more information go to the SA Country Shows website.

A bite-sized look at show cooking

2010-01-25T18:38:00.002+10:30

Agricultural shows are an important part of community life across Australia, according to award-winning consultant and multi-media presenter Victoria Hansen who explores the topic in a recently-recorded podcast with author Liz Harfull.
"In country areas they give people an excuse to get off the farm and catch up with the neighbours, and the city shows are both a spectacle and an institution that bring the city and the bush together for a few brief days each year.
"But for many individuals they represent much more than an opportunity to relax and have fun. They are about the serious business of rewarding effort and enterprise."
Visit Victoria's wonderful food site, BiteSize Cooking and listen to the interview.

Learn how to make the perfect Christmas cake

2009-12-09T20:27:00.002+10:30

Champion cook Emma Kemp will be demonstrating how to make the perfect rich fruit cake in time for Christmas at the Adelaide Showground Farmers Market on Sunday, December 13. Emma will appear with author Liz Harfull at 11am, in the market's popular demonstration kitchen. A major trophy winner at the Royal Adelaide Show, the audacious Emma is one of show cooking's brighest young stars. She has already qualified for the 2010 State Rich Fruit Cake Championship, after winning a qualifying regional final at the recent Lucindale Show.

Full house for Mount Gambier event

2009-11-19T15:02:00.001+10:30

A full house of more than 120 people greeted Liz yesterday for her first Meet the Author event in her home town of Mount Gambier. Volunteers from the local Anglican Church created a fabulous spread for the occasion, using recipes from the book; they also organised a magnificent display of old cookbooks and historic kitchen items from the local National Trust collection. Liz talked about her early ambitions to become a writer, her career as a journalist, starting at the local newspaper, The Border Watch, and how The Blue Ribbon Cookbook came about. The event raised funds for the Christ Church Building Fund.

Meeting a favourite author

2009-11-15T14:05:00.000+10:30

In between a hectic program of attending country shows, a recent personal highlight for Liz was having the chance to meet one of her favourite authors, Diana Gabaldon, during her visit to Australia this month. Diana has sold more then 8 million books, including the wildly popular, award-winning Outlander series. The seventh novel in the series, An Echo in the Bone, was released in Australia in September. A full-house of more than 200 people greeted Diana at her Mount Barker appearance, where guests were entertained with live traditional Scottish folk music, and refreshments, including wines specially labelled for the occasion.

Author heads home...

2009-11-03T22:04:00.002+10:30

Liz Harfull will return to her home town for a special Meet the Author event to raise funds for the Christ Church Building fund in Mount Gambier. “We are really looking forward to hosting Liz and hearing about her adventures in writing the book, and being a published author,” says parish council member, Wendy Monger. “Since the book was released she has traveled the State appearing at country shows and speaking at author events, but this will be the first opportunity most people will have had to hear her speak about it in her home town. We are planning to provide a good old-fashioned afternoon tea for the event, including recipes from the book. The local branch of the National Trust is organizing a special display from its collection, and there will be a display of old recipe books provided by various parishioners.”
The event will be held on November 18 at 2pm at Christ Church Hall, Bay Road. Tickets cost $8, including afternoon tea, and are available from the church office, phone 8723 1353. Copies of the book will be for sale (cash only) and signing at the event.

Bloomin marvellous

2009-11-01T22:26:00.001+10:30

The annual Penola Show at the weekend turned on a spectacular display of roses, filling most of Rymill Hall with one of the most spectacular exhibitions of cut flowers you would find anywhere. Because of a sudden, unseasonally warm spell, more than a few exhibitors dragged themselves out of bed in the small hours of the morning to cut their blooms for the event. Up for grabs was a $1000 prize for the overall champion rose - not easy to win given the town's reputation for producing outstanding roses and the increasing number and level of competition.

Eggs galore

2009-10-26T22:18:00.001+10:30

Keeping your own chickens is obviously a popular pass-time at Callington. Author Liz Harfull counted more than 60 entries in the egg classes when she attended the annual show yesterday to officially open the event - by her reckoning, not far off the total number of houses in the small, historic mining town between Murray Bridge and Mount Barker. Callington holds what is believed to be Australia's youngest agricultural show. Now in its eighth year, the event is growing steadily, with the support of a very active local community and sponsors. Indoor classes grew so much this year the organising committee had to add a marquee to the side of the hall to cope. The event is also drawing a growing number of patrons from Adelaide, keen to experience the traditions of a country show.

Country Hour cooks up a storm

2009-09-14T11:24:00.004+09:30

ABC Country Hour Riverland reporter Natalie Oliveri and trainee reporter Amy Spear didn't have much baking experience to fall back on when they took on competing in the first-ever ABC Country Hour cook-off in South Australia at the Royal Adelaide Show on Friday. The challenge? Using the lemonade scone recipe from The Blue Ribbon Cookbook and a selection of 'mystery' ingredients to make savoury scones. The cook-off took place in the kitchens above the CWA cafe at the showground, where kitchen supervisor Lorraine very kindly provided the necessary equipment. Also on hand to offer advice was Joy Bricknell, from Naracoorte - the winner of this year's inaugural State Scone Competition. Author Liz Harfull acted as on-site host for the event which involved three live crosses during the Country Hour. CWA State president Rosemary Crocker judged the scones as soon as they came out of the over, giving the honours to Natalie for scones flavoured with a combination of capsicum, paprika, bacon and cheese. Visit the ABC website for their report.

A rare double victory for Brigitte

2009-09-08T13:26:00.003+09:30

Lucindale cook Brigitte Taylor has become only the second competitor in history to win both of South Australia’s top awards for show cooking in the same year. The relative newcomer has surprised a field of seasoned finalists to take out both the prestigious South Australian Rich Fruit Cake Championship and the State Genoa Cake Competition. Brigitte’s surprising double act make it a clean sweep for South East cooks, with Joy Bricknell from Naracoorte taking out the inaugural State Scone Competition, judged during the same session.
Originally from Bordertown, Brigitte started entering cookery competitions in her twenties, and has only once before had a cake qualify at regional level for the top competitions. While she is not prepared to give away any secrets, she attributes her success to “luck” and the influence of her German-born family who were keen and capable cooks and passed on a love of baking. “My Mum got me started with good old-fashioned German cooking,” she said.
Organised by the Agricultural Societies Council of South Australia and sponsored by Sunbeam Foods and Angoves, the rich fruit cake championship started in 1982 and the genoa competition in 1986. In the 23 years since, Watervale cook Jenny Parish has been the only other person to take out both titles in the same year (2002).
Kay Johnson from Moonta was second in the rich fruit cake championship, followed by Carol Houston from Kangaroo Island. Kirsty Pfeiffer, representing the Northern region, was second in the genoa cake section with Gloria Buck from Millicent, placed third. Joyce Neumann from the Murraylands region was second in the scone competition and Nanette Simpson from the Northern region was third.
You can see all their entries in the Goyder Pavilion throughout the Royal Adelaide Show, which runs until September 12.

All in a pickle thanks to Mavis

2009-09-06T13:42:00.000+09:30

Mavis Lee's prizewinning recipe for mustard pickles worked like a charm for Lisa Jesse in her first experience entering the Royal Adelaide Show cookery competitions. Lisa followed the recipe and tips given by the experienced show cook who is featured in the Kapunda section of The Blue Ribbon Cookbook, with fantastic results. "I have you to thank for the inspiration in entering in the Royal Adelaide Show with my mustard pickles – and I came runner up in my first attempt! I can’t believe it," she wrote to author Liz Harfull. Open cookery and preserves sections at the show were judged on Thursday and are on display in the Goyder Pavilion until the show closes on September 12.

Cakes from Catherine

2009-09-05T12:51:00.000+09:30

With some innovative help from her Mum, one of The Blue Ribbon Cookbook's youngest test cooks has used the orange cake recipe from Renmark show cook, Paul Hansen, to make cup cakes. The cakes were a special treat for her teacher's 50th birthday. Apparently, he was very impressed, and given the photo Catherine sent us of her efforts, we are not surprised!

Taking Blue Ribbon to the Outback

2009-08-19T20:07:00.003+09:30

Adelaide chef Abbas Ibrahim is on the road this week, cooking for participants in the amazing Variety Club Bash, which raises money for charity. Abbas has had the gig for the past 10 years, with his curry nights a very popular feature for the bash crew. But last night he tried something a little different - serving up a recipe from The Blue Ribbon Cookbook for dessert. Jean Evans's popular apple square recipe, from Uraidla, in the Adelaide Hills, was made for about 450 people attending a special dinner at The Painted Desert, about 90 kilometres north of Coober Pedy. Abbas had help from fellow chef, Chris, at Woodbake in Stirling, who made the squares. When he isnt cooking for the bash, Abbas runs two take-away Indian food businesses under the name indis, at Crafers and Glenside.

And from London to Texas... and barbecue

2009-08-10T19:41:00.000+09:30

Life is nothing if not diverse for Liz. Apart from being an author, she also works as a journalist and communicator within the rural sector in Australia, and represents the country on the executive of the International Federation for Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) which brings together the world's rural press clubs and professional guilds for media and communicators who specialise in food and agriculture. The IFAJ has just held its annual congress in Texas, where Liz got to try barbecue - Texas style. The cook responsible was Sam, who actually works as a cowboy on a nearby ranch. The barbecue beef was a treat, served with a rich potato salad made with mustard and real home-made beans in a smokey barbecue sauce.

From Paris to London

2009-07-21T19:32:00.001+09:30

After attending the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Paris, Liz travelled on to the UK where she caught up with friends, and on her way home this week, made a visit to the famous Fortnum and Masons store in London. The store is famous for its fine foods, particularly tea, and its fabulous window displays. But after spending so much time admiring fruit cakes in show competitions across South Australia, what really caught her eye was this magnificent display of tinned fruit cakes in the main food emporium.

It's a what?

2009-07-09T19:20:00.001+09:30

Liz was fortunate enough to be a guest of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists in Great Britain this week, at the last ever Royal Show in England. The annual event held at Stoneleigh Park, near Stratford on Avon, has been running for 160 years but the society has decided to call it quits and hold smaller, more focussed events for the country's farmers instead. The show is quite different to royal shows in Australia - no side shows, no indoor competitions for general classes like cookery, crafts and art, no show bags. The primary focus is livestock, and what an amazing collection of popular and rare breeds were on show at the last event. For Liz, the highlight was undoubtedly discovering the 'woolly' pig - yes, a breed of pig with a thick, curly coat, originally from Hungary. For a collection of photographic highlights visit http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=113128&id=720821758&l=2bae472653

Slow Food experience

2009-07-07T07:40:00.003+09:30

During her stay in Paris, Liz caught up with members of Slow Food, the international organisation which encourages people to explore and preserve traditional food cultures. Members of the Bastille Convivium took her to see a community garden they have established in a residential area in the heart of Paris. Volunteers from the energetic group also cook for their own community restaurant, set up at a local food market. Pictured in the community garden are convivium president, Diane Marshall, an Aussie girl, who left Melbourne about 20 years ago to live in France, Marion Desmartin, who is a publisher, and graphic designer, Corrine.

A blue ribbon experience in Paris

2009-07-07T07:16:00.004+09:30

The Blue Ribbon Cookbook was named runner-up against more than 50 other finalists in the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Paris on July 1. Author Liz Harfull travelled to France for the event, held in the beautiful home of the famous La Comedie Francaise theatre company. Food and wine book authors from around the world gathered for the stellar occasion which featured a special appearance by Julia Powell, whose blog and memoir about her daily experiences cooking each of the 524 recipes in Julia Child's famous book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, is about to be released as a feature film starring Merryl Streep and Amy Adams.

The Easy Recipe book category in which Liz's book competed, was won by Spanish author Xabier Guterrez. In announcing the winner, awards organiser Edouard Cointreau (pictured with Liz) pointed out the category was the hardest to win, with more than half the cookbooks sold around the world falling into this sector.

Cointreau, who is from the famous French wine-making family, acted as host and master of ceremonies at the event. Guests were served vintage champagne and cognac, and food prepared by students from the famous Le Cordon Bleu cooking school, which is headed up by his brother, Andre Cointreau.

Rural charms and the odd jelly cake thrill Peter

2009-06-15T09:01:00.006+09:30

Friend of The Blue Ribbon Cookbook, ABC radio presenter Peter Goers and his famous love of rural Australia are the subjects of a feature story in this week's Stock Journal. Peter, who launched the book in September last year, talks about why he is a 'barracker for the bush', and his love of country halls, and, perhaps not incidentally, the wonderful tradition of the bring-a-plate country supper, 'with old pine trestle tables laden with curried-egg sandwiches, sausage rolls, jelly cakes and cream puffs.' Click here to read the whole story.

Slow Food event at Stirling

2009-04-09T20:30:00.004+09:30

Members of the Adelaide Hills convivium of Slow Food will use recipes from The Blue Ribbon Cookbook to cater for a special open garden at 'Boxwell' in Stirling on April 19. The event is part of the annual Autumn Garden Festival. Liz will be on hand from 10am to sell and sign books, and funds raised from the catering will go towards the Victorian bushfires appeal.

A great night at Marion

2009-04-09T20:21:00.007+09:30

Marion Library organised a wonderful Meet the Author event for Liz on Tuesday night, with 170 people turning out to hear more about The Blue Ribbon Cookbook. Many thanks to Jenny Newman and the rest of the wonderful staff at the library.

Blue Ribbon named in top three

2009-03-28T17:42:00.004+10:30

The Blue Ribbon Cookbook has been named in the short-list for the Best in the World competition run as part of the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. The book is one of three selected from 54 finalists for the Best Easy Recipe Book section. The winner will be announced at a special dinner at the Comedie Francais theatre in Paris on July 1.

Celebrating 'real' food - move over Nigela

2009-03-28T17:25:00.009+10:30

An extremely impressive array of old-fashioned baking, tea pots, eye-catching aprons and blue gingham tableclothes captured the spirit of The Blue Ribbon Cookbook at a series of events in South Australia last month. The sessions were part of The Big Book Club, which selected the book as its February title. At Saddleworth, north of Adelaide, the local mayor praised it as a welcome relief from over-hyped celebrity cookbooks because it celebrates 'real food cooked by real people'. Host communities certainly proved the point through the morning and afternoon teas and suppers they provided, with much of the cooking being done by library volunteers and students from local schools. Liz travelled to Stirling, McLarenVale, Victor Harbor, Gawler, Balaklava, Minlaton (pictured), Saddleworth and Walkerville for the program, often joined by local cooks featured in the book. It was the first Big Book Club event held at Minlaton, and the first time a Big Book Club event has been held in the impressive library at Victor Harbor.

Above: Liz (right) with Clarrie Wandel and his daughter Christine Burford at the Balaklava event. Clarrie's wife, the late Doris Wandel, is featured in the book with her Mango Diabetic Fruit Cake recipe.

Above: Patrons queue up for their books at the McLaren Vale event.

Above: The event at the award-winning Stirling Library.

Taking it slow

2009-03-07T12:50:00.003+10:30

Summer means tomatoes and for Italians ripe red tomatoes mean sugo – it’s sauce-making time. Last Sunday I joined other members of the Adelaide and Barossa convivium of Slow Food in a special event at the home of Malvina and Sebastiano Crugnale for their annual sauce making. After processing bucket loads of ripe Roma tomatoes, we enjoyed a simple but extremely tasty lunch of pasta, prepared by their son, Camillo, who is chef at respected Adelaide restaurant, Assaggio. Not about show cooking, but what a treat! And we all brought home two bottles of sauce each as a reward for rolling up our sleeves and helping out.

The Big Book Club coup for Blue Ribbon

2009-02-22T16:07:00.004+10:30

In a rare honour for a book that is neither fiction or biography, The Advertiser Big Book Club has chosen The Blue Ribbon Cookbook as its February selection. Author Liz Harfull will speak at eight special events in South Australian libraries, starting with her home library in Stirling. Meet the author sessions are also planned for McLaren Vale, Victor Harbor, Gawler, Balaklava, Minlaton, Saddleworth and Walkerville. For more information visit http://www.thebigbookclub.com.au/

You can't keep a good cook down...

2009-02-22T15:58:00.003+10:30

It takes more than a broken arm to stop a country show enthusiast from doing their bit, as Jean Evans proved yesterday at the annual Uraidla Show, held in the picturesque Picadilly Valley of the Adelaide Hills. Jean broke her arm in two places a few weeks ago, but decided to go ahead and give a demonstration of her prizewinning apple squares recipe, with some help from daughter Janice. Meanwhile husband Bob claimed a special trophy for the local exhibitor with the highest number of points, thanks to a fine collection of pot plants, cut flowers and vegetables. Another daughter, Rosie Schulz, is show secretary. She was delighted with the large crowd who enjoyed perfect weather conditions, in stark contrast to the past couple of years when temperatures have topped 40 degrees.

Blue ribbons in the Barossa

2009-02-22T15:36:00.004+10:30

The beautiful Barossa Valley north of Adelaide produces more than very fine wines - its cooks are renown too for their efforts. About 100 people, including some very experienced show cooks, turned out for a Meet the Author session with Liz Harfull, hosted by the Nuriootpa Library and its wonderful staff (pictured). Liz told a few of the stories behind The Blue Ribbon Cookbook, and enjoyed a lively question time before the gathering adjourned for supper, provided by Friends of the Library. Tanunda cook Margaret Hurst reminded people to think about entering the coming autumn shows, with the Angaston event on February 28 and the Tanunda Show on March 14.

Discovering Jubilee Cake on Brophy's road

2009-01-19T14:56:00.005+10:30

Melbourne-based Irish-Australian singer and songwriter Vince Brophy sent me this photo of his first attempt at one my favourite recipes - the Jubilee Cake. One of the keen amateur test cooks for The Blue Ribbon Cookbook, Vince usually focusses his energies on making wonderful sauces, relishes and preserves from an impressive backyard veggie patch. But he took time out from adding the finishing touches to his new CD, Brophy's Road, to try his hand at baking with great results.

The Jubilee Cake is a humble fruit cake recipe which originated in South Australia, although there is some debate about which juiblee it was created for. I love it because it requires minimal ingredients, is quick to make and bakes in just 20 to 30 minutes. You apply the runny icing when its warm to speed up the process even more. No doubt it was a farmhouse favourite when neighbours unexpectedly dropped in for a cup of tea and a chat.

Feast in a flash

2009-01-08T13:29:00.004+10:30

Country shows are not the only places to test your cooking skills. Adelaide's extremely popular Feast Festival also runs a cookery competition with many of the categories traditionally found at shows. Among the winners in 2008 was professional photographer Rosey Boehm (pictured with her dog Sybil), who won a first prize for her quince jelly and a second prize for her crab apple jelly. If you want to give Rosey a run for her money in 2009 there is a great quince jelly recipe in The Blue Ribbon Cookbook, courtesy of prize-winning Cummns cook, Jan Nitschke, with some great tips from Jan and the judges to help you on your way.

And the winners are...

2009-01-08T12:09:00.004+10:30

The Royal Automobile Association of South Australia (RAA) has announced winners of a competition run last year for copies of The Blue Ribbon Cookbook. More than 5300 people entered the competition, the highest for any book competition ever run by the organisation. Congratulations to the lucky recipients - Mrs H Batson, Goroke (Victoria); Mrs S Timm, Goolwa;
Mr S Bressanelli, Broken Hill; Miss J Cockrum, Reynella; and Mrs M Ellis, Pt Augusta West.

Blue Ribbon Cookbook wins a prize of its own

2008-12-18T17:24:00.005+10:30

In very exciting news for author Liz Harfull and the team at Wakefield Press, it has been announced this week that The Blue Ribbon Cookbook will represent Australia in the 2008 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. The book has been selected from a record number of entries to be named Australian winner for the Best Easy Recipes Book category. It will now compete against finalists from other countries for the Best in the World award, due to be announced at a gala dinner in May 2009.
‘It is extremely exciting to have the book recognised at such a high level, and a great tribute to the team at Wakefield Press who worked on it, as well as the talents and generosity of the show cooks who so willingly shared with me their stories and knowledge,’ Liz said.‘The organisers of the awards tell me there were more entries than ever from Australia this year, and of a high quality. Apparently there were many competitors in the easy recipes book category, including two previous Gourmand Award winners in other categories.’
The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards aim to honour people who ‘cook with words’, and to find the best out of some 26,000 food and wine books produced around the world every year. The awards were founded in 1995 by Edouard Cointreau, a member of the family behind Cointreau liqueur, which has owned vineyards in France since the 13th century.Thousands of books are entered every year, with entries assessed by an international jury. In 2008 there was an estimated 15% to 20% increase in entries, from 102 countries.
Find out more about the awards...

Motoring along

2008-12-09T14:22:00.004+10:30

More than 5300 people entered a recent competition to win one of five copies of The Blue Ribbon Cookbook. The competition was run by the Royal Automobile Association of South Australia, through its samotor publication. Public relations coordinator Kimberley Willmer says the number of entries received was the highest for any book competition ever run by the organisation. Winners will be announced at the end of December.

All in the family

2008-11-24T19:08:00.008+10:30

Kangaroo Island cook Grace James made free samples of her wonderful Economical Steamed Plum Pudding recipe for patrons to try at this year's Kingscote Show. Grace and her recipe are featured in The Blue Ribbon Cookbook, along with a wonderful photograph taken in the late 1920s which shows Grace and the rest of her family enjoying a picnic at the showground. The photo was replicated on the front of this year's Kingscote Show book as a tribute. Author Liz Harfull was officially invited to open the event as well as launch the book locally, and present a signed copy to Grace, who took out quite a few trophies again this year despite serious competition from her sisters, Olive May and Joyce West. Two of her grand children continued the tradition by winning in the junior classes, presenting the third generation of the descendants of Jack and Olive Elsegood (Grace's parents) to compete at the show.

It's official - the Blue Ribbon Cookbook is a bestseller

2008-10-29T23:11:00.003+10:30

The Blue Ribbon Cookbook found it's way onto the Top 10 Bestseller list in South Australia this week, much to the excitement of author Liz Harfull and the team at Wakefield Press. Astoundingly, the book outstripped in sales the recently-released second version of Australian cookbook phenomena '4 Ingredients'. A second edition of the tribute to country show cooks and their prizewinning recipes has been ordered, only a few weeks after the main shipment of the first edition hit book stores. But there are no guarantees the next edition will arrive in time for Christmas so Wakefield are encouraging people who are thinking about buying copies as gifts to do it sooner rather than later.

Barb's cheesecake the best

2008-10-29T22:59:00.003+10:30

Barb Smithies amazing baked cheesecake wowed cookery judges at the Callington Show on Sunday, taking out the championship ribbon. But local Blue Ribbon Cookbook cook, Cherrol Wundersitz, didn't do too badly either, winning another prize for her curried zucchini relish which is featured in the book. Cherrol and author Liz Harfull were on hand to sign books for patrons at the which had one of its best crowds yet. The youngest show in the State, the event only started about seven years ago and continues to build in popularity, with more than a few city visitors dropping in to discover what a country show is all about.

Well just look at me now...

2008-10-29T22:45:00.003+10:30

The indoor section at the Mount Gambier Show took on a fresh and impressive look this year with competitive classes being displayed in stylish new cabinets. The cases onced graced the floor of the Royal Adelaide Show pavilion housing cookery, cake decorating and handicraft competitive classes, but they weren't needed any longer with the completion of a brand new pavilion earlier this year. Despite unseasonably hot weather (over 30 degrees C on Saturday) the Mt Gambier Show attracted a healthy crowd, with many finding sanctuary in the cool show hall. Apart from the usual array of baking and preserves, they also had the chance to view entries in the regional final for the State rich fruit cake and genoa cake competitions. Shirley Harvey, from Strathdownie, who has won the rich fruit cake title seven times, won the regional qualifier again this year, and Gloria Buck, from Millicent, took out the genoa cake semi. Both women will now contest the state finals in September 2009.

Everything's coming up roses at Penola

2008-10-29T19:33:00.004+10:30

One of the highlights of the annual Penola Show is its $1000 rose competition. It's a tribute to the strong traditions of a town which supports Australia's famous Coonawarra wine region, and the longstanding links between grape and rose growing. The local show society presented author Liz Harfull with a beautiful rose bush to thank her for speaking at a special afternoon tea in Penola last week. The event aimed to encourage people to buy The Blue Ribbon Cookbook and enter cookery and preserves classes at the show which will be held on October 31 and November 1. It also brought together again Liz and the two junior cooks from Penola featured in the book - Bella Minge and Caitlin Fulton.

Eat your heart out Nigela...

2008-10-20T22:19:00.004+10:30

Uraidla show cook and beef cattle producer Jean Evans proved a hit when she and author Liz Harfull made their debuts as cooking demonstrators at the very popular Adelaide Showground Farmers Market on Sunday. A little nervous about the experience, Jean turned out to be an absolute natural, even while comparing herself unfavourably to television cook Nigela Lawson. Jean showed an enthusiastic audience how to make her prizewinning apple squares, a fantastic apple shortcake recipe passed on to her by her mother-in-law who was a World War I war bride from Scotland. Jean brought along her favourite backing pan, a tin made from a Mottram's flour tin lid during the Depression years and used faithfully ever since to make the squares.

Mavis does it again...

2008-10-20T22:11:00.005+10:30

Temperatures topped 30 degrees C at Coonalpyn on Saturday but it didn't deter people from supporting the local show where ABC radio personality Peter Goers was a hit. Peter loves visiting regional areas and paid tribute to country people and the enormous contribution made by volunteers to community life during his opening speech. Among the crowd was prizewinning show cook Mavis Klitscher who has been going to the show since it started more than 60 years ago, with her father as president. Although Mavis doesn't cook any more she tries to enter at least one class in the indoor section, to keep in tact her record of competing in every single show. This year she only entered one thing - a gerbera in the cut flowers section - and won champion flower. Go Mavis!

Back home...

2008-10-20T21:54:00.003+10:30

One of Liz Harfull's earliest memories is lying in bed listening to the arena announcements start up on show day, just a few paddocks away from the farm where she grew up at Mil Lel. It was a signal that it was time to get up and enjoy the excitement of show day. Years later and the sound is the same, according to Liz who returned to her 'home' show as a special guest on October 11. And what a day it turned out to be. Held in absolutely perfect spring weather, the event attracted a record crowd and an expanded program of displays and attractions, including a staggering seven rings for horse events. Not bad for one of the only two district shows (as opposed to a show held in a township) still being held in South Australia. Overseeing activities in the hall was convenor and local show cook Margaret Douglas, pictured with her daughter Helen, who was on hand to help.

Minlaton Show celebrates 130 years

2008-10-10T11:31:00.006+10:30

Despite a few early showers of rain, locals and people visiting Yorke Peninsula for the school holidays, turned out in large numbers for the Minlaton Show on Wednesday. The society was celebrating a very special occasion - its 130th event. The grounds feature one of the oldest show buildings still in use, and the home of its indoor competitive classes. While the cookery and preserves entries were outstanding, it was the number and quality of entries in the floral and pot plant classes that really drew the admiration of showgoers. Read more about the show...

MASH takes Minlaton

2008-10-10T11:19:00.003+10:30

Young Angus McEvoy thought outside the square when he came up with this prizewinning entry at the Minlaton Show on Wednesday. Angus decided to pay tribute to the popular US sitcom set in the Korean War, in a special class for decorated trays with a TV theme. Not sure the judges would have seen too many heaps of cold potato in this class before, but it draw more than a few chuckles from people as they explored the indoor exhibits. Good one, Angus!

Go Marj

2008-10-10T11:02:00.003+10:30

Kingston cook Marj Maczkowiack was undoubtedly the star of this year's Kingston Show which attracted a bumper crowd to the popular Limestone Coast event on Sunday. No sooner had regional show association president Garry Possingham launched The Blue Ribbon Cookbook than queues of people starting forming to buy copies and get Marj to sign them. Queues are nothing new for Marj - people line up in the town's mainstreet every Easter to buy her astounding sponge rolls from a community fundraising stall. Now in her 80s, Marj still cooks through 24 hours before the show to prepare her entries. This year she was rewarded with a perpetual trophy for her cockles (which she has won 11 times according to proud husband Rodney) and the aggregate trophy for the open cookery section. At the end of the afternoon a large crowd gathered for the trophy presentations, with secretary Kathy Wright and committee member Judy Taplin pictured doing the honours.

A little bit of magic at Bordertown

2008-10-10T10:18:00.004+10:30

Perfect spring weather brought plenty of young families out for the annual Bordertown Spring Festival last Saturday. Liz officially opened the festival, which is the current name of the traditional Bordertown Show. A ute competition and a visiting magician were highlights of the program, but one of the more unusual spectacles was this tame kookaburra, which was part of the popular animal nursery. It was fascinating to see this remarkable Australian bird so close up.

A Riverland renaissance

2008-09-28T11:02:00.008+09:30

The Loxton show society organised a wonderful afternoon tea on Friday to host the Riverland launch of The Blue Ribbon Cookbook. About 60 people filled the town's small CWA hall for the event, which also raised money for the society. President Linda Wiltshire and secretary Lynn Schmaal were thrilled with the success of the day, with the society selling out its order of books. Author Liz Harfull talked about how she put together the book and shared stories about some of the cooks, encouraging people to enter in the region's upcoming shows at Loxton on October 5 and 6, Pinnaroo on October 8 and Renmark on October 25. Special guests at the afternoon tea included Loxton cook Joyce Braun, who shares her cinnamon coffee cake in the book, and Pinnaroo cook Dorothy Barker, who brought along one of her prizewinning chocolate layer cakes. It was the first time Dorothy had made the cake since her sister died. Dorothy tells the story in the book of how she 'lost heart and gave up' on making the cake after her sister died a few years ago. Liz is pictured top with Linda and Joyce.

Everyone a winner...

2008-09-26T01:16:00.007+09:30

Wilmington turned on its best spring weather for their annual show on Sunday, where author Liz Harfull helped make presentations to the Prince, Princess and Show Personality winners. The competitions were extremely popular with young show goers, with more than 20 children lining up to participate. Judging was not too onerous a task - the winners of the first two competitons had their names drawn out of a hat and every participant received an ice cream and a gift voucher. No wonder it was so popular! Despite side show operators letting them down at the last minute, the kids seemed to find plenty to do, including riding around the arena in a grand parade of historic vehicles. There was a great community atmosphere at the event which had some very well supported indoor sections despite the small population of this historic town in Beautiful Valley. Indoor sections were well supported, with the fruit and vegetables, flowers and junior art classes proving particularly popular. A stunning cabbage grown by junior gardener Phillip won the champion vegetable, and this handsome rooster from Peterborough did quite well for himself in the poultry section.

Wheat over the centuries

2008-09-26T01:03:00.003+09:30

A special feature at the Kimba show was a display, created by a local farmer, showing samples of major wheat varieties grown in Australia since the first years of settlement. The seed was provided by various research institutions. It included varieties popular in the Roman era, the first varieties bred in Australia, including Federation released in 1901, and popular current varieties. It was fascinating to see the difference in grain size and numbers, height, and maturity.

Not just about the book...

2008-09-26T00:40:00.008+09:30

It is strange the things a writer can find themselves doing, especially if they take on writing a book about country shows. On Saturday, for the first time, Liz found herself officially opening an agricultural show - at Kimba - and helping to make presentations to two new life members of the local show society. She definitely needs to practice her badge pinning techniques, although at least she managed not to stab anyone in the chest.

Despite blustery weather there was a good turnout for the event, with some impressive entries in the cookery section, particularly the sponge rolls which were mouth-watering works of art.

And speaking of sponge rolls, a special treat was getting to share lunch with Wudinna cook Mavis Sampson who shares her honey sponge roll recipe in The Blue Ribbon Cookbook. Mavis travelled to Kimba to especially to meet Liz - the two had to rely on telephone discussions to create the Wudinna section of the book.

Many thanks for show secretary Janet King, local cook and convenor Dianne Hamblyn, and their colleagues for their hospitality. Janet is pictured viewing the world from the customer window of the secretary's office, which saw quite a bit of traffic on Saturday.

Liz travelled to Kimba with Bob and Margaret Rankin from Wilmington, who are featured in The Blue Ribbon Cookbook with their lemon butter recipe. The Rankins were called on to help judge junior handicrafts, and preserves sections at the show, but they also siezed the opportunity to take some entries along for the cookery section, and some entries from daughter Pauline for the handicrafts section where she won a trophy.

The West is calling

2008-09-17T09:59:00.003+09:30

Author Liz Harfull is off to the West Coast of South Australia this weekend to officially open the Kimba Show on Saturday. She will also be part of a local launch for The Blue Ribbon Cookbook and catch up with local show cook Dianne Hamlyn who provided her prizewinning chocolate cupcake recipe for the book. Then on Sunday she will be a special guest at the Wilmington Show.

On the Yellow Brick Road

2008-09-16T14:17:00.006+09:30

Liz joined volunteers from country shows across the State at their stand at the Royal Adelaide Show last week. The display was part of the extremely popular Yellow Brick Road trail which takes people around the showground collecting food products. Liz spent time at the site most days, signing books and sharing stories about cooking and show cooks. She is pictured (left) with Uraidla Show secretary Rosie Schulz.

First shipment sells out in five days...

2008-09-11T19:17:00.001+09:30

What an amazing week it has been for The Blue Ribbon Cookbook. The first shipment of the book sold out in just five days, thanks to overwhelming interest by the media and patrons at the 2008 Royal Adelaide Show. The publishers are expecting the second shipment to be unpacked and in book stores by the end of the month. Apologies to disappointed show patrons hoping to purchase a copy during the event, which ends on Saturday.

Something in the water...

2008-09-11T18:58:00.007+09:30

A few square kilometres of country covering the South Australian/Victorian border at the southern tip of Australia is proving to have more than its fair share of prizewinning cooks. The tiny farming district of Mil Lel, known for its lush pastures and high-producing dairy farms, is also home to Emma Kemp and Margaret Douglas. Born and bred on a dairy farm at Mil Lel and now living in the Adelaide Hills, Emma has won the 2008 aggregate trophy as the most successful exhibitor in open cookery classes overall at the Royal Adelaide Show, also winning most successful exhibitor awards in pastries and desserts. On the same day Margaret won the State Genoa Cake Competition, judged in conjunction with the launch of The Blue Ribbon Cookbook, written by Liz Harfull, who, you guessed it, is also originally from Mil Lel. And the State Rich Fruit Cake Championship was won by Shirley Harvey, who comes from Strathdownie, the neighbouring farming district on the Victorian side of the border. Another cook from Mil Lel, Beryl Hill, her daughter Judith Wood, and grandson, Geoffrey Wood are also feature in the book as champion cooks for the Mount Gambier Show where Beryl was the first woman president. Must be something in the plentiful underground water sources for which both districts are known... Pictured at the show are (from left) Geoffrey, Margaret, Shirley, Liz, Beryl and her husband, Murray.

Meet the author

2008-09-09T10:31:00.003+09:30

Liz Harfull is having the time of her life this week at the Royal Adelaide Show - Australia's leading city-based agricultural show in terms of attendance per capita. More than half a million people pass through the show gates in eight days, drawn by an amazing mix of competitive classes for everything from embroidery (and cookery of course) to livestock, grains and dairy products. Liz is on hand most days between 11am and 1pm, and 2pm and 4pm, to sign books at the Country Shows stand in the Farm Expo pavilion. She will also be joining ABC radio presenter Peter Goers on his evening show, broadcast from the ABC site near the Secretary's Office on Wednesday evening, at about 8.30pm.

Life is a jubilee...

2008-09-09T10:20:00.003+09:30

The humble Jubilee Cake is taking the spotlight this week thanks to the efforts of guest ABC cookery presenter Allie Reynolds, who featured the recipe from The Blue Ribbon Cookbook, during her regular monthly spot on Carol Whitelock's afternoon program.

Broadcast from the Royal Adelaide Show, the program yesterday featured Allie talking about the recipe and serving pieces of a cake she had baked to the crowd. Allie is fascinated by the history of the recipe, which is proving a little elusive. It has been spotted in cookbooks dating as early as 1928, but we are still trying to work out which 'jubilee' it celebrates. The latest theory, is that it was created in South Australia to mark the 25th anniversary of federation. We would love to hear from you at trbc@adam.com.au if you know more.

Blue Ribbon cooking with Rosa

2008-09-07T15:48:00.003+09:30

Author Liz Harfull will be joining chef Rosa Mato in The Meating Place demonstration kitchen at the Royal Adelaide Show on Thursday, September 11 at 12.30 pm. Liz is not too sure how her skills as an author writing about mainly baking and preserves making is going to help her tackle the assignment, but why not come along and find out...

The new 'Green and Gold'

2008-09-07T13:26:00.011+09:30

It has been an amazing few days in the life of The Blue Ribbon Cookbook, with 180 guests gathering to celebrate the launch in the stunning new Goyder Pavilion at the Wayville Showground in Adelaide. Local ABC radio presenter Peter Goers (pictured left with author Liz Harfull) officially launched the book, describing it as a "love letter" to country shows and country show cooks. And Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of SA president Charlie Downer forecast it would become the new 'Green and Gold', refering to the iconic 1920s cookbook that is still in print and found on shelves in almost every South Australian household. A highlight of the launch was the afternoon tea, featuring 30 of the recipes found in the book, made by the cooks themselves, who were guests of honour. They travelled from as far as Port Lincoln and Tumby Bay on the West Coast, Kulcurna Station, just over the Victorian/NSW border on the banks of the River Murray, and Mount Gambier in the south-eastern corner of the State.

Come and join us for breakfast

2008-08-31T16:10:00.004+09:30

Author Liz Harfull and three of the cooks featured in The Blue Ribbon Cookbook will be special guests at this year's Royal Show Breakfast on Thursday September 11. Hosted by Rural Media South Australia, the breakfast is an annual highlight during Adelaide 'show week'. Joining Liz in a fun-filled celebration of show cooks and their surprising stories will be Mary Starkey from Mount Pleasant; Angaston winemaker Carol Riebke, and RAHS treasurer and rosarian, Walter Duncan, who comes from one of the State’s most prominent show families. Liz is well known to Rural Media members for her work as Australia’s representative to the International Federation for Agricultural Journalists. To book for the breakfast visit http://www.ruralmediasa.com/

Gawler Show takes first place...

2008-08-31T16:05:00.005+09:30

Gawler cook Kath Palamountain was honoured at the 152nd annual Gawler Show yesterday (Saturday August 30) when author Liz Harfull presented her with one of the first copies of The Blue Ribbon Cookbook. Kath has been involved in the cookery section of the show for 45 years and is about to retire. Her rock bun recipe is featured in the book - and it won Kath another first prize this year.

Have cake will travel

2008-08-28T10:50:00.007+09:30

For the past few years Mundulla cook Kath Herrmann has been putting a sultana cake on the bus to travel more than 3000 kilometres to Darwin as an entry for the northern city's annual show. At her first attempt she won third and last year she came second. This year her persistence has finally paid off and she won first. Kath's award-winning recipe and her tips for success can be found in The Blue Ribbon Cookbook.

It should be a hoot

2008-08-17T17:29:00.009+09:30

Plans are well in hand for the official launch of the book by popular ABC radio presenter Peter Goers on September 4. To use one of Peter's favourite sayings, "it should be a hoot!"
Many of the cooks featured in the book are planning to bring their signature recipe for what promises to be one of the best afternoon tea spreads people have seen in years. The cooks are all looking forward to meeting each other, and the team of test cooks who put all the recipes through their paces are very excited about meeting the people behind the recipes and comparing notes.

Crossing the Rubicon

2008-08-17T17:06:00.004+09:30

Yesterday I had the chance to meet other authors at the Salisbury Writers' Festival, a wonderful event for literary enthusiasts held annually in the northern part of Adelaide. It was my first outing as a speaker at a writer's festival, instead of being part of the audience - a strange sensation indeed.
I shared the morning session with rural 'icon' Angela Goode, well known for her popular Great Working Dog Stories, and best selling fantasy and crime writer, Fiona McIntosh. Angela recently stopped writing her weekly column in The Advertiser - a great shame given that it was the only regular column in Australia focussing on rural issues.
The event was also the first public outing for The Blue Ribbon Cookbook. Although we had no actual copies of the book (they are on their way back from the printer), we offered a preview via a special PowerPoint presentation.
Feedback from participants was extremely encouraging, and the excitement is building as the team responsible for creating the book awaits the arrival of the first copies within the next week or so.