Recipe: Winner Takes All Whitebait Fritters

Winner Kiri Te Kahika working on her masterpiece.

Serves 4 for lunch

The actual fritter recipe is a closely held secret and could not be obtained, so you will have to use your own favourite. Season well.

Kiri had made her own lemon mayonnaise. You should too really, but can cheat by blending a prepared one with the lemon juice and zest.

• 200g whitebait
• 3 tbsp mayonnaise
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp drained capers
• Oil for deep frying capers

1. Heat oil in a small pot and carefully deep-fry the capers, draining them on a paper towel and sprinkling with salt.

2. Blend the lemon zest and juice into the mayonnaise.

3. Make your favourite whitebait fritters and keep warm.

4. Make a pond of lemon mayonnaise on each serving plate, sit the fitters on top and surround by fried capers.