A contest to relish: Blackwood hosts chutney off

BLACKWOOD will host its inaugural Green Tomato Chutney Off tomorrow, Saturday 27 June.

Among those putting their chutney-making prowess to the test before the judges are local couple Helen Johnson and Matt Berridge, who are relishing the opportunity for a little friendly competition in the kitchen.

“She is entering her family hand-down recipe, and he is going into battle using a recipe he has Googled online,” said event organiser Jinny Coyle.

The chutney off takes place in St Martins Chapel with contestants dropping off their entries from noon to 12.30pm prior to judging at 1pm.

“The awards will be presented at 2pm when we will also have chutney tastings followed by the Fried Green Tomatos movie at 3pm,” Coyle said

“Our $5 door entry includes the movie and we’ve also got Bloody Mary cocktails, tasting platters, jar chutneys to sell and green slushies for the kids.”

Contestants will be vying for prizes and the glory with the green tomato-themed event hoped to become an annual fixture, making the most of Blackwood gardeners’ famed inability to produce a ripe tomato, Coyle said.

While not entering the competition herself, Coyle has been in the kitchen cooking up plenty of green tomato condiment to sell at the debut event.

It is raising funds to help cover costs associated with the Windfall documentary, which has been produced locally.

The documentary tells the story of impact, survival and resilience in the face of the freak cool climate cyclone that wreaked havoc in the area five years ago.

It debuted in Blackwood earlier this month and now the local filmmakers, including Coyle and her husband, director Brendan Hehir, are preparing to enter it in various competitions including this October’s Byron Bay Film Festival.

Coyle said those who did not catch the Windfall debut screening will now have the chance to see it at St Martins Chapel in Blackwood this Sunday at 2pm, with plans also for public screenings at Moorabool library venues.