Local politics turns tasty

GOING head-to-head with Mayor Mark Jamieson in a cook-off this weekend, Minister for Glasshouse Andrew Powell said he was confident of a win.

The pair will be kicking off the Real Food Festival this Saturday in a cook-off, under the watchful eye of judges Peter Slipper, Eumundi Markets manager Peter Homan and Natural Food Store manager Ryan McLintock.

Donning their finest Real Food Festival aprons and chef hats, the cook-off is set to be a spectacle for event-goers.

Cedar Creek Farm Bush Foods chef Peter Wolfe will mentor and supervise the pair, with the winner being judged by the presentation of their meal.

The cook-off between two of the Coast's most well-known politicians will be the start to a weekend full of Market Chef competitions, which will showcase talented youth on the Sunshine Coast, as well as the quality and diversity of locally-grown produce.

Market Chef competitions will take place at 11.30am on Saturday and Sunday, with Mr Wolfe doing a briefing and cooking demonstration before students do meal preparation for 40 minutes.

The competition is set to provide students, including two teams from Hinterland schools, with the opportunity to promote their school.

Mr Powell said being a lover of food, he was confident of claiming the cook-off title.

"I don't get the chance to cook as much as I'd like to, but I absolutely love it," he said.

"I'm a Master Chef.

"I have five kids to feed - I know how to cook."

The Real Food Festival will have a variety of stalls, demonstrations, discussions, hands-on and other activities throughout the weekend.

The festival will celebrate a variety of food that Sunshine Coast producers, manufacturers and restaurants have to offer.

For more information, visit realfoodfestival.com.au.