Wild weather failed to stop entrants from turning in some award-winning dishes at the Local Wild Food Challenge last weekend. Nearly 30 competitors vied for top honours at Mataatua on Saturday, and Julie Allerby, Marketing Coordinator at Whakatāne District Council, says that despite the rain the event was a great day out for all involved.

"Whakatāne locals really stepped up to the Challenge," Mrs Allerby says, "with some great ideas and excellent culinary skills on display. We'd like to thank all the judges, Mataatua, William Stewart and our sponsors Gibbo's Fresh Fish, MATA Beer and Whakatāne Hunting & Fishing for helping us put on a great day, and we're hoping that next year we’ll be able to arrange some proper Eastern Bay sunshine! And of course we'd also like to thank Bill Manson, founder of the Challenge, for bringing the event to Whakatāne."

Tommy Rosewarne of Blueberry Corner took home the Grand Prize with a raspberry and macademia trio dessert, while Marcus Baker came in as runner up and Lara Dixon took third as well as the MATA Beer matching honours. Mr Rosewarne says that the inspiration for his dish came from working in the family business, all the raspberries and macademias were all sourced locally, and he was definitely planning on entering the next challenge. 

In the children's section, the Grand Prize went to Clea Finlay with a raw honey and wild raspberry cheesecake, Best Effort went to Skye Williams, and Best Story was won by Leon Mahy.

Other prize categories were:
Best dessert: Estelle Reid-Allerby
Wildest ingredient: Ana Bryant
Best effort: Jannine Rickards
Best from the Water: Michelle Gibbons
Best from the Land: Asanka Senerartha
Local ingredient: Tom Johnson
Hemingway award: Kathy Wahapango
Caroline Johnson award: Tim Allerby
Winging it: Leon Mahy