Blackwood to throw Green Tomato Chutney Off

CONDIMENT connoisseurs and relishers of relish are being encouraged to get cooking for the first ever Great Blackwood Green Tomato Chutney Off.

The new event is the brainchild of accomplished local green tomato growers, Jinny Coyle and Caroline Parker and is set for Saturday 27 June at St Martins Chapel in Blackwood.

Coyle said the event is aimed at raising funds for the Windfall documentary which delves into the impacts, causes and aftermath of the serious cyclonic storm that devasted the area in June five years ago.

“Basically, Caroline and I have got veggie gardens and we were whinging and moaning that we can never ripen tomatoes here,” said Coyle who, as a professional editor and graphic designer, is also part of the local team that worked to make the Windfall documentary a reality.

“We were just sitting here and we thought, ‘why don’t we do The Great Green Tomato Chutney Off? Trentham’s got Spudfest.’

Organisers of the upcoming Great Blackwood Green Tomato Chutney Off, Caroline Parker and Jinny Coyle are inviting all who appreciate a good condiment to get cooking now to enter the savoury showdown. Photo: Brendan Hehir.

“We’ve got three fantastic judges. One is the head chef at the Blackwood Hotel and is an absolute condiment connoisseur.”

Besides judging of the winning entries, the event will feature screening of the movie Fried Green Tomatoes, chutney tastings and sales with some classic tomato-themed cocktails on offer as well.

“We’re going to have hot Bloody Marys and after the awards have been presented we’ll have a chutney tasting and selling, and then we’re going to have the film because we’ve got full cinema facilities at the chapel,” said Coyle.

“I suggest the need to start cooking now. The frosts are starting to come in so get those green tomatoes in and harvested now.”

As one of the two co-organisers of the debut event, Coyle herself will not be entering the competition, but could not resist making a few jars of chutney.

“I think I’ve made 36 jars to sell,” she said.

The Blackwood Progress Association is supporting the event which is hoped to become an annual fixture.

Those intending to enter The Great Blackwood Green Tomato Chutney Off should go to blackwood3458.com.au to find more details and register their interest.