Cookery
The
State Cookery Contest was
inaugurated in 1959 with the only sponsor being the Queensland
Country Life Newspaper, which donated the 300 pounds prize money. Today total
prize money is over $3,500. The contest was to raise money for the
building of the proposed State
Offices and Club, Ruth Fairfax House. The cookery contest committee was
formed with Mrs Hilda Bell as the first Chairman.
When Ruth Fairfax House was paid
for, Queensland Country Life Newspaper continued its sponsorship with the money going to
the Trainee Teachers' Hostel (formerly "The Lodge"). Again, when this was paid off,
the money was divided equally between the three Regions for projects in their areas. In
1982, the total proceeds went to the North Queensland Project - the rebuilding of the
cottages at Kissing Point, Townsville, and again for three years from 1986 to 1989
proceeds went to clearing the debt on Kissing Point Units, Townsville. Since then
the contest has helped clear the debts on other QCWA properties.
Every year a Statewide Cookery
Competition is held which attracts excellent cookery entries from members throughout
Queensland. However, unknown to many exceptional cooks, this competition is open to the
public and any Queensland resident is welcome to enter. The record amount of
$25,015.00 was raised from the 33rd Contest. How the Contest has grown from its humble
beginnings of one thousand odd pounds from the first contest.
To relieve the
Queensland Country Life Newspaper of the heavy work load connected with
arranging sponsorships and other details for the Contest, State Office took over
this responsibility in 1992. Since 1998 the State Cookery Committee arrange the
Sponsorships. Over the years various major sponsors have joined the Contest, to
whom we are most grateful.
The State Cookery Contest has been a
major fundraiser for the Association. Between 5000 and 6000 entries are received each year
from Branch contests. Set recipes are favoured my most Divisions. The most popular
Class has always been the Boiled Fruit Cake. The Contest consists of three levels of
judging, from Branch competition through to State level judging at the annual QCWA State
Conference. The Competition consists of a number of different categories ranging from
fruit cakes to frangipani cakes to jams and pickles. Every gastronomical genius
should be able to find something from their area of expertise. There is even a
section for the junior cooks - the under 17's section.
If you would like any more
information on where and when your local competitions will be held please contact the
State Cookery Committee Chairman Mrs. Janelle Cole on phone 07
5465 2432.
The Queensland
Country Women's Association