TV chef Adrian hosts cook-off at Mullingar Show
A cook off featuring some of the midlands finest amateur cooks is one of the new additions to the programme at this year's Mullingar Annual Show, which takes place this Sunday.
The cook off, which will be hosted by TV chef Adrian Martin, is the regional final of the All Ireland Cook Off with the winner of Sunday's competition making it through to the national final at Clogher Valley Show on July 27. The prize for the winner of the national competition is a week at the internationally renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School in Cork
The organiser of the competition, John Martin, says that it taps into the public's growing interest in cooking, as well as showcasing local ingredients.
"There are six cooks from the midlands who will cook off live on the stage. The cooks are all amateur cooks, home cooks.
"Where possible we will choose ingredients from people exhibiting at the shows.We'll use meat from a local supplier. The Monday before the regional finals we give the competitors a list of ingredients that we will provide at the show and they will have time to decide what to cook.
"Ultimately the six people could have six different dishes from the same ingredients," Mr Martin said.
Show committee member, Paddy Donnelly, says that the introduction of the cook off is another example of how the show has evolved over the last 180 years. Another new addition this year is an alpaca section.
"It's not just an agricultural show anymore. There is something for all of the family. It's all about footfall."
The show has been at its current base at Culleen, since 1976. Over the years the committee have invested significantly in transforming the site into one of the best showgrounds in the country.
"It's great to have something like the show in Mullingar. It's not every town that can say it has an event of this size and it's really stood the test of time."
This year's event, which will have over 100 stands, as well as musical entertainment, best dressed competitions and a fashion, will be officially opened by country music star Robert Mizzell.
For more information on what's on offer at this year's show visit: mullingaragrishow.com.