by Luke Voogt
Geelong ‘ham stars’ and ‘cheese champions’ will have a shot at glory next month with entries opening for the Lara Food and Wine Festival’s culinary competitions.
With last year’s numbers slightly lower than previous years, organiser Gail Thomas urged local smallgoods maestros to get their entries in.
“We’re just getting the word out now that if people have got homemade smallgoods, save a piece and get your entries in,” she said.
Gail was hoping to build on last year’s result, which saw 25 entries for the Hamstar of Lara and about another 40 for the Cheese Champion competition.
The Hamstar of Lara, in its seventh year, has a trophy up for grabs named in honour of late pioneering smallgoods producer Angel Cardoso.
The Spanish expat came to Lara as an aeronautical engineer but later gained a reputation as a maker of Australia’s finest Spanish-style smallgoods.
“He was probably the first one to be making really specialised jamon and chorizo,” Gail said.
“He always used to say the cold winds that came from Ballarat down through the You Yangs were perfect for what he was doing.”
The competition is open to makers of any homemade small goods, from salami and prosciutto to capocollo and salchica.
“The Hamstar also has a Facebook page for home producers … to share their knowledge, information and ideas,” Gail said.
Entries are open until March 10 for the Hamstar of Lara and March 19 for the Cheese Champion at www.larafoodandwinefestival.com.au.
“The biggest problem is people make (cured meats) in winter and by the time the competition comes around they’ve eaten it all!” Gail said.
“It’s a case of putting some aside for the next one if they’ve already missed this time around. At least with the cheeses there’s still time.”
Judging takes place prior to the event with winners announced during the festival at Pirra Homestead, Lara, on March 22.
