A $500 prize for Vanilla on the Menu

As part of the lead up to the Orchid Show, a new competition has been announced for local chefs and their customers to honour the vanilla orchid’s role in food.

All café and restaurant owners just need to use Australian grown Broken Nose Vanilla on some menu items for the chance to win a prize of $500 for the Best Recipe.

The Orchid Society of NSW is challenging chefs to prepare creative dishes featuring vanilla on their menu, and the Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett thinks it’s a great idea.

“This competition is to acknowledge the vanilla orchid’s role in flavouring cuisine around the world and through the ages,” the Mayor said.

“It’s wonderful news that the NSW Orchid Society is running this vanilla challenge in our community.

“I’m sure all of our community members will be excited to sample our local chefs’ creations during the competition,” she said.

“Customers also have the chance to win a beautiful flowering orchid plant, to be drawn on 19 July 2018 at the Opening Ceremony of the 21st Australian Orchid Council Conference and Show at Hawkesbury Indoor Stadium,” Councillor Lyons-Buckett added.

“I encourage local restaurants, cafés and chefs to get involved so that customers can come along and try their vanilla menu.”

Secret judges will patrol participating venues and taste the ‘vanilla flavoured’ items for selection of a winning recipe.

Anyone ordering a ‘vanilla flavoured’ menu item must send their contact details and ‘proof of purchase’ receipt, addressed to AOCC2018 at PO Box 5396 Chullora 2190 or email a scan to [email protected] by 5pm, 18 July 2018. The Challenge will run until Wednesday, 18 July 2018.

Interested chefs need to contact Helen Mason on 0448 535528 or email [email protected] to participate.

Participating venues will be identified by an A4 poster displayed at entry explaining the competition to customers.

There is no limit to the number of recipes or entries and all participating chefs will receive a Certificate of Appreciation, and publicity about their recipe.

Participating venues will be identified by an A4 poster displayed at entry explaining the competition to customers.

The Orchid Society of NSW highly recommends that chefs use Australian grown vanilla from the award winning Australian company, Broken Nose Vanilla. Visit https://www.brokennosevanilla.com.au for more information.