Cooking enthusiast and award winner Paul Carruthers will enter his best work in this year’s IGA Perth Royal Show.
ENTERING cakes, scones and olives grown locally into an event which attracts more than 400,000 visitors might be terrifying for some.
But the 2012 IGA Perth Royal Show does not scare Wannanup local Paul Carruthers who will enter some of his finest cooking in the show’s competitions for the second year running.
The 54-year-old said he was looking forward to entering this year after receiving some constructive feedback from the judges in 2011.
“I have used the feedback for this year,” he said.
“I have also picked up a lot of tips to make sure it’s right this year.”
In 2011, Mr Carruthers was awarded first prize for his home-grown olives and second place for his orange cake.
But his scones did not fare as well last year after a late decision resulted in scones he said were not up to his standard.
“I was looking at them [on display] and thought, they are not my scones,” he said.
“I had made a perfect batch the night before and on the morning I was taking them to the show, made the decision to make fresh ones and they were nowhere near as good.”
This year, Mr Carruthers has entered in five cooking categories including muffins, scones, orange cake and kalamata olives.
For the first time Mr Carruthers will enter the My Favourite Cake category with a cake he said was “pretty special”.
Describing next week as “lock-down mode” as he prepares for the competition, Mr Carruthers said he cooked for enjoyment, rather than acknowledgement.
“My friends are often given food as I practice and I donate a lot of it to local charities,” he said.
“I just enjoy doing it –I have been asked before to sell some of it but I like to cook and give it away.”
Mr Carruthers said cooking was something everyone could enjoy.
“People don’t need fancy appliances and tools,” he said.
“I have made my own cutters and other tools and just have basic items to cook with.
“They do the job and I am happy to use them.”
Mr Carruthers will head to the Claremont Showgrounds on September 28, the day before the show starts for judging.