“I promise the kids of Bendigo will love eating Brussels sprouts by the time I’m finished with them,” the Melbourne-based foodie said. 

And if that wasn’t challenging enough, the father of two has threatened to do so using an equally unappealing ingredient for the average child – anchovies. 

“I have a secret weapon which defies the saying that ‘two wrongs don’t make a right,’” he said. 

“They may be the two most unappetizing things on their own, but the anchovy and the Brussel sprouts will come together in a symphony of flavour.” 

Mr Cornish will be at the Bendigo Community Farmers Market on Saturday, August 8, to judge the best winter recipe in town.  

Entries to the ‘Bendigo in Winter’ competition are open to all ages and Mr Cornish said he will be looking for recipes which best represent the season and the market. 

“If it’s asparagus from Mexico it’s probably not going to be a winner,” he said. 

The Caulfield cook said he is looking forward to a Gemmifera celebration – lots of cabbages, cauliflower and sprouts.

“At this time of year I’m making a lot of coleslaw and sauerkraut with the kids,” he said.

“Cauliflower cheese gets a hammering in my house too.”

But the range of eligible ingredients includes fruit, vegetables, olives, meats, cheese – as long the recipe features local produce. Entries should mention the producer and carry an image of the completed dish. 

The winner will receive $100 worth of fresh market produce, a signed copy of ‘MoVida Spanish Culinary Adventures’ by Richard Cornish and Frank Comarra and have their recipe featured in the Bendigo Advertiser. 

The Addy will be featuring selected recipes from next week.

Recipes should be submitted via the BCFM website before 5 pm on Monday August, 3. 

Richard will announce the winner and reveal his secret anchovy and Brussels sprout recipe in a cooking demonstration on the market’s community stage from 10am.