TWO traditional Indian curries dominated an inaugural curry challenge in Wodonga on Friday.
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Lavington couple Minakshi and Sunil Shrimali took out first and second places in the Curry Off at the Gateway Health Multicultural Club.
There were eight entries overall – representing five different cultures – in the Curry Off.
Mrs Shrimali said her winning entry, an Achari Chicken, originated in the southern Indian capital of Hyderabad.
She said the secret to the flavoursome dish was in the preparation.
“Achari means pickle; it is made with all the spices you would normally use in an Indian pickle,” she said.
“The chicken is marinated for 24 hours in all of the spices.
“The chicken remains moist when it’s cooked and it seals in all of the flavours.”
Mr and Mrs Shrimali founded M&S Caterers at Lavington two months ago after years in the hospitality industry.
A chef for about 17 years, Mrs Shrimali enhanced her cookery skills at William Angliss Institute in Melbourne before moving to the Border two years ago.
Mr Shrimali’s Lamb Kheema was popular among the judges and diners too.
One River One Mob members Robert O’Dywer and Ben Smith got third for their gluten-free kangaroo curry.
Other entries were a Congolese Fish Curry (Vivian Nyirakwezi); Cassava Leaves Curry (Beatrice Nyamajana and Apolina Kakonga); Cassava Leaves and Fish Curry (Janet Nyirasafari); a South Indian Lamb Fry (Gogineni family); and Australian Curried Sausages (Gateway Health).
Curry Off judges were Independent candidate for Benambra Jacqui Hawkins, Albury-Wodonga Ethnic Communities Council chairwoman Sue Portors, One River One Mob facilitator Darren Harris and Gateway Health chief executive Leigh Rhode.
Mr Harris welcomed the inaugural Curry Off.
“It was awesome; it is really about bringing the community together,” he said.
Gateway Health Multicultural Club spokeswoman Karin Stahl said food could bring people together.
“We might have cultural differences but lots of cultures make curry,” she said.
“People often focus on our differences but we should focus on what we have in common; that way we’ll have a wonderful multicultural community in Wodonga.”