‘Useless’ cook takes out the Rural Catch Culinary Challenge

A self-described “useless cook” proved a dab hand with asparagus rolls as he and his cooking teammate won the culinary skills round of the Rural Catch competition.

Ohaupo farmer Ben Fisher and Eira Lloyd-Forrest prepared a rustic feast of asparagus rolls, meat wraps and salmon crackers. For dessert they made a grand farming-inspired birthday cake.

The eight contestants were challenged to partner up and create savoury and sweet dishes that celebrated 50 years of Fieldays for round eight of the competition this morning. 

Brett McGregor, a Masterchef winner, was co-hosting the challenge and said this year it was a lot more fired up with the girls onboard. 

“It’s getting really competitive this year with the girls, they’ve all really raised the bar,” said McGregor. 

Before the challenge got under way, Fisher and Lloyd-Forrest looked over the food selection with some trepidation.  They even suggested that Lilly Newton, another contestant, would probably take the win. 

“I’m a bit worried about the cooking challenge, I’m really not a good cook. I better not tell the ladies that,” said Fisher. 

Despite winning, they did face a few bumps along the way. While Fisher quietly cooked away and taste-tested more regularly than expected, Lloyd-Forrest had some frosting drama. 

At first the frosting was too stiff, but after heating it up the frosting became too runny and sent her cake on a slope. It became the leaning tower of cake. 

To her surprise, McGregor said it actually worked in her favour after he tasted the cake. He said it had made the cake perfectly moist. 

Taking the win was a massive shock to them both, especially Fisher who jumped for joy at the announcement. 

“I’m in absolute shock, cooking is not my thing at all,” he said.