Sandpiper Festival adds cooking competition to schedule

Who makes the best goodies using locally grown fruits and berries? The organizers of a cooking competition taking place during the upcoming Sandpiper Festival in Dorchester are inviting cooks to display their baking talents during the contest. As part of the event, participants will have the opportunity to learn some baking tips from a world-class chef.

The Local Growers Baking Competition will take place on Saturday, July 28, at the Lady Smith Manor on Woodlawn Road in Dorchester. Participants are asked to bring their culinary creations to the manor between 9-11 a.m. where judging will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Participants and spectators will then gather at Lady Smith Manor at 2 p.m. for an entertaining demonstration and taste-testing opportunity.

Dorchester Community Access Centre staff and volunteers agreed to organize the inaugural event, which will feature local produce.

DCAC manager Janice Bear said the competition will be more than just a baking contest.

Were asking local bakers to bake their favorite recipes or maybe create something new, using locally grown produce such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, apples or a combination of fruits. Were also hoping well get some bakers from other local communities to take part as well, Bear said.

Were hoping bakers of all ages, both male and female, adults and children alike will want to take part; either by entering their creation or by taking part as a spectator.

Participants and spectators will also enjoy a baking presentation by executive chef Roy Butterworth during the event.

Chef Butterworth will be judging the entries based on taste, appeal and appearance and hell also be giving a presentation on baking desserts and how to fancy them up the way we see them done by fine restaurants and caterers, Bear noted.

Chef Butterworth has an impressive résumé, developed during many years of training and work with well-known bakers and chefs. Born and raised in England, his culinary career was spawned watching the skills of a beloved aunt, and later honed through his work with the much-celebrated training resources of the British Army Catering Corps.

Chef Roy, as he is known by, came to Canada in 1969 and has since become a well-known chef, working in radio and TV. He has been included in the Guinness Book of World Records, many cookbooks and other culinary publications, taken part in the Culinary Olympics and in 1996 was recognized as Canadas Chef of the Year. He is currently national administrator of the Canadian Culinary Federation.

Chef Roy has been a teacher of the culinary arts in the N.B. Community College system since 1984 and has been recognized as a Chef Teaching Master as well as being a sought after motivational speaker, culinary demonstrator and hospitality industry consultant.

After the judging of the entries, participants and spectators alike will get to sample some of the culinary delights, including a special fruit-based dessert which the chef has created especially for the festival.

Chef Butterworth will do much more than offer baking tips; hes a wonderful entertainer and were looking forward to a very pleasant afternoon having him with us, Bear said.

For more information, contact the Dorchester Community Access Centre at 379-3050.