Vanuatu organic beef stars in national NZ cooking contest

In 2006, Vanuatu was voted the happiest place on earth according to the Global Happy Planet index.  That’s possibly one reason why Vanuatu organic beef by all accounts is very good. Vanuatu organic beef was the star of the show at the Island Influences, Culinary Fare cooking competition held at the ASB Showgrounds yesterday with the winner being announced tonight. The Island Influences category of the Culinary Fare is organised by the Pacific Islands Trade & Investment Commission NZ to promote Pacific Island ingredients to New Zealand chefs as part of the annual Hospitality Show.  This year’s ingredients featured Vanuatu organic beef and nangai nuts, cassava and kava. Guest judge representing the Vanuatu Chefs Association (VCA) Mark Seagar commented prior to last night’s contest that Vanuatu organic beef was in high demand with much of the beef presold to markets such as PNG, Solomon Islands and Kiribati. Despite New Zealand having an advantage in beef production, promoting Vanuatu organic beef in New Zealand was hardly bringing coals to Newcastle. There’s a niche market for organic beef from Vanuatu said Seagar. The animals are allowed to roam, feeding off grass and producing quality beef with good marbling throughout the meat.  That was confirmed by one contestant from the army who said that the beef was so soft it was a little hard to work with - after being used to much tougher cuts of beef.  With dishes such as pave of beef fillet on coconut spinach, nangai nut and taro, with sautéed paua, pikopiko, horopito oil and vanilla jus, the contestants appeared happy with their inspiration. Mr Seagar who is an advocate of Pacific produce said the Island Influences competition was a great way to promote local Pacific island produce to New Zealand.  “I believe it is imperative that we must promote and use more of the local ingredients of all South Pacific Islands not only in their countries but throughout the whole of the South Pacific” said Seagar. Mr Seagar is a Culinary Arts Instructor for the Austalian Pacific Technical College (APTC) who has been tutoring in Vanuatu for the past two years.  Mr Seagar is an experienced judge having been involved in judging various public and private sector culinary competitions.  The 10 competitors in the Island Influences competition came from a variety of backgrounds including hotels, cookery institutes and this year, five NZ Army chefs met the challenge to produce sizzling main courses featuring the Pacific products.