Around 60 people came together to take part in the third Taita Pomare Anglican Mission Project Cook-Off last month, learning how to create healthy, nutritious meals to share.

Based on television’s popular “Master Chef” programme, local children and their parents worked together to whip up nutritious and affordable meals including, potato salad; corn fritters; fried rice; mince and pasta; risotto; Thai red curry; chocolate self saucing pudding and sticky date pudding. 

All families took home a recipe book and a food parcel so they could try out other dishes they had sampled.

The Taita Pomare Mission is an innovative community project led by the Rev Charles Noanoa at St Matthews Anglican Church Taita. 

Rev Charles said.”Na to rourou, na taku rorou ka ora ai te iwi. With your food basket and my food the people will thrive. I think this proverb sums up the sentiment of our Cook -Offs.  Our tamariki really enjoy this day and sharing food  is  a great way  of bringing a community together as well as learning new skills.”

The event has grown each time it has been staged and this year moved from St Matthews Church Hall to the Taita Community Centre.  Taita Community Trust Coordinator Jo Logan said, “We were delighted to be able to assist by providing the venue for this popular community event. Sharing food and cooking together is at the heart of a great community.”   

Cook-Off Judge Mary Tautau, a well known resident from Taita Pomare, awarded prizes based on collaborative work with the winning family receiving three hours of free gardening labour along with three hours free use of the Taita Community Hall. 

The Taita Pomare Mission is working on developing a cook book called Kai-fusion which will contain recipes and feature a Mainly Maori section as well as shopping and budgeting tips.  The profits from the sale of the book will help fund the ingredients for future Cook-offs.

Cook-Offs will become a regular event, taking place in the school holidays during the school  year.

For more information about this work visit www.taitapomare mission project or contact Anne Hannah, Funding Manager, The Anglican Centre on 04 471 8590.

Nutritious recipes are passed on to children