Redemption round reveals winner

The Hits' Will Johnston and celebrity chef Peter Blakeway battled it out in part two of Noel Leeming's Spatula Challenge.

Hyped as the redemption round, radio host Will Johnson said he "got spanked" in the final of Noel Leeming's Spatula Challenge yesterday, losing to professional Bay chef Peter Blakeway.

Blakeway received 54 public votes for his dish - an Italian platter of steak served on a bed of watercress and polenta, while The Hits Bay of Plenty daytime host scored a still respectable 30 votes for his dish of steak and prawns, served with noodles in a coriander, mint and lime sauce.

Although there was debate over whether Peter's win - a silver trophy with a spatula sticking out - was a true win.

"It's the foodie version of the Bledisloe Cup," said Johnston. "So although Peter takes the cup home, technically it's a draw. He could at least give me the spatula." More than 100 people cheered on the chefs with many in the crowd peppering them with technical questions, such as how to cook the perfect steak.

By the dessert round, Johnston seemed to accept his fate as the underdog. While Blakeway expertly whipped up a tarte tatin with caramelised icecream made with dry ice, the radio host resorted to throwing apples to children. Tauranga mum Dana Dunford said cooking was something her family enjoyed, and her 7-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son were keen to learn from the competition.

"Coming down to watch it I think it's a good learning experience for the kids," she said.

Noel Leeming's Spatula Challenge

* When: First event was Sunday, July 26. The second and final event was Saturday, August 1
* Where: The Noel Leeming Built-In Cooking Centre - 266 Cameron Rd, Tauranga
* Radio host Will Johnston from The Hits Bay of Plenty took on local celebrity chef Peter Blakeway in the ultimate cook-off
* The chefs received a bag of mystery ingredients to cook a dish
The public then voted on their favourite dish