Super chefs ready to rock

The region’s diverse produce and wine, backed by two celebrity chefs going head-to-head in cooking classes, will liven up Rockcliffe Wines’ first Taste Great Southern night market on March 6.

It promises to be a night for the whole family to enjoy and appreciate great-tasting food created on the spot from locally grown product, while enjoying fine wines and listening to Denmark-based musicians from 5pm to 8pm.

Radio personality Verity James will be MC as the master cooking classes by chefs, Anna Gare and Russell Blaikie take centre stage in a relaxed market atmosphere held in the open air.

Winery tours will include vintage-wine making and a showcase of gluten-free food by Rockcliffe’s restaurant Petite Villaine.

Organiser Dea Collen said the free-access event would not only bring together producers and restaurateurs, but promote some of the best food from the region, including Dellendale cheese, organically grown lamb and beef, vegetables and fruit.

“We have tried to create something the whole family can enjoy, by getting producers and the community together,” she said.

“They can make a nice night of it and enjoy what is being offered. I feel that’s the true meaning behind Taste.

“Come along and purchase locally produced food, eat and be merry.”

Ms Collen said the only free event as part of Taste had the bonus of providing open access to the master classes by top chefs Gare and Blaikie, who will cook-off against each other in “The Farmer, the Cook and the Chef” using fresh produce from Howard and Bev Shapland’s farm.

“Rockcliffe has always been family-oriented and that’s why we started having concerts on Sunday,” she said.

“We have started this event smaller, hoping to get it right so we can then build on it and possibly hold it over the whole weekend in the future.

“It will be a nice experience for everybody.”

About 25 stallholders will be involved at the first market, including stallholders from the Steiner School market which will be held the previous Friday.

Gare is recognised as one of the most popular chefs on Australian television.

Her most recent role is as host of The Great Australian Bake Off and she judged on Junior MasterChef, which earned her a Logie nomination and a legion of new fans across Australia.

Mr Blaikie trained in Perth before working and travelling extensively throughout Europe developing his craft and reputation.

His Must Winebar in Highgate is where he expresses his love for classic French bistro food with a modern touch and expert technique.