Gladstone wild food day savoured by all

The judges didn't have to eat sea snail souffle, but they did have to chomp down on some cicada shells.

The inaugural Gladstone Inn Wild Food competition was held on Saturday.

Entrants had to hunt, dive, forage and "bush-whack" to source and present a meal with some whacky elements to three discerning judges.

Gladstone Inn manager Rhiannon Bradey said the day was held in great spirits and every contestant made a real effort to impress the judges.

She said it was good to see everyone trying each other's dishes.

"The judges would have their taste and then leave everyone else to try the dishes."

"The only scary thing, really, was the cicada shells."

Mrs Bradey said the judging was as fair as it possibly could be.

"It was fantastic. Judging was anonymous so the judges had no idea who had presented what," she said.

The winner in the adult category was Sara Bradey who presented a marinated venison back strap and a watercress and pumpkin salad with a fig and pinot sauce.

In the children's competition Ben Irwin, 11, impressed the judges with a hare loin stuffed with chestnuts and stinging nettle and a salad of wild watercress, fennel and thistle nut.

Ms Bradey said the day was a winner and the Gladstone Inn would definitely be doing the same again next year.