The cook off aimed to show that even with the most basic ingredients and utensils, people can still create simple, healthy and tasty meals.

Bendigo Foodshare operations manager Ray Butler said he was impressed with some of the dishes teams put up.

“Win TV made a good looking vegetarian option and it was really good to see everyone had a different view (for dish ideas),” he said.

“The idea was to make it fun and get the message out there that it is easy to prepare simple, healthy meals.”

Ingredients used in the cook off were the average items donate to Bendigo Foodshare including fruit and vegetables, frozen chicken, canned goods and bread-based products.

Mr Butler said the day was helped with Bendigo Toyota donating $1000 to Bendigo Foodshare.

He said teaching people the basics of cooking would help them learnt o eat better.

“I’ve helped with cooking classes that start of with basics and many people have never learned to cook,” Mr Butler said.

“Often the people that really need this sort of help are the last ones to get it.

“One person said they had a gourmet dinner one night that included a roast chicken.”

Mr Butler said it cost $100,000 each year to operate Bendigo Foodshare.

“We are hoping to make this a regular event but the bottom line is we need income,” he said.

“We are too small for government grants, so we need community involvement.

Mr Butler said Bendigo Foodshare is also hoping to host a gastronomic event aimed at children next year.

Dean Farrell and Chris Pedler from the Bendigo Advertiser won the competition with a variety of dishes including Chinese five-spice chicken wings, pulled chicken sliders with hand-made potato chips, chili con carne with rice and a sausage patty breakfast burger.

For more information on Bendigo Foodshare visit their Facebook page or log on to www.bendigofoodshare.org.au