Paul Bibby
It was kitchen tongs at twenty paces at the Mullumbimby District Neighbourhood Centre yesterday as two local chefs faced off in a Ready, Steady, Cook contest as part of the neighbourhood centre’s open day.
Ronit Robbaz from Opentable faced fellow catering queen Laura Cornelius. Each was given a clutch of ingredients to cook with, and they didn’t disappoint, coming up with some tasty treats for the audience to sample.
Laura was eventually declared the winner, but most agreed it was the event as a whole that came out on top – raising awareness about the valuable work being at the neighbourhood centre each day.
This includes the women’s resource service which supports local women affected by family and domestic violence; the community support service which provides assistance to those in need; and Food Recovery which collects food donated by local shops and supermarkets across the region and turns it into delicious meals for the community.
‘There is so much that we do here that some people in the community may not be aware of,’ acting centre manager Leseera Kai said.
‘Yes, we’re about helping those in need, but we’re also about providing a place to connect and participate as part of this community.’
In addition to the cook-off, the day featured live music by the neighbourhood centre’s uke and jam groups, and a silent auction.
Laura donated her prize to the centre’s More than a Meal program, which provides a free community lunch at the centre from Monday to Thursday from 12.30pm.
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