Every year hundreds of talented amateurs devote hours to preparing entries for cookery competitions run as part of 600 or so agricultural shows across Australia. In their quest for a precious blue ribbon, they use recipes based on generations of experience and strict judging codes that demand absolute perfection.
In this follow-up to her first award-winning book, The Blue Ribbon Cookbook, Liz Harfull brings together 70 tried and true recipes from some of the country’s most enthusiastic and talented show cooks.
But more than that, in The Australian Blue Ribbon Cookbook Liz shares their heart-warming stories, and the wisdom, knowledge and generosity of spirit that brings success, even for novices.
Whether it’s a traditional Mixed Mustard Pickle or Madeira Cake, mouth-watering Sausage Rolls or Pumpkin Damper, Jenny’s Jam Drops or Cousin Barb’s Jelly Slice, there is something delicious for everyone to try. The end results may even win you a blue ribbon!
Liz Harfull is an award-winning journalist and Churchill Fellow who grew up on a small farm near Mt Gambier which has been in the family since the early 1860s. She worked for several newspapers before spending twelve years with a leading national public relations business specialising in agriculture and environmental management.
In 2006 she walked away from being a co-owner/director of the business to focus on her writing. She is passionate about telling the stories of regional Australia and in 2008 Liz published her first book, the best-selling Blue Ribbon Cookbook and in 2012 Liz published her second book, Women of the Land.
Today Liz lives in the Adelaide Hills, juggling a busy writing career with her voluntary work on a national council representing rural journalists and communicators.
The Australian Blue Ribbon Cookbook is published by Allen & Unwin and is available from all leading book retailers. For more information, visit: www.allenandunwin.com for details.
Image: The Australian Blue Ribbon Cookbook