Entries were well up as the district’s best cooks vied for a new overall championship award in the section, won by renowned cook and Anglicare NT regular Heather Dingle.

Bronwyn Chandler was chuffed to take out the best overall chutney at the show, with the same recipe she’d won the title with years earlier.

Her secret is to cook early and let the chutney stew in its own juices in the fridge.

Like a good wine, chutney becomes better with age, she said.

“Fresh ingredients are crucial with all cooking.”

Anything more than that and Bronwyn wasn’t saying, insisting is was all secret.

She has her eye on the 2018 title already.

Alderman Toni Tapp-Coutts is going around again at the next election but was happy to win the tomato relish first place card this year.

She also won her usual share of gongs in the photography section as well.

Grey nomad Denis Lyon has been camped at Knotts Crossing for the past six months and thought he’d give the locals a shake at the show.

He came away with a third place in the best pickled vegetables award, and anyone would have thought he’d won.

“We like a lot of hot stuff on the barbecue, chillis and the sort of thing and it goes well in pickles, easier to travel with.”