A celebration of region’s best

The WA Signature Dish may not be from the South West, but the regional winner said the competition was fantastic.

Manjimup woman Alana Starkie was announced as the Southern Forests’ regional winner during the regional finals in early May.

The aim of the competition was to find a dish representing the State, narrowing it down from dishes submitted from different regions throughout WA, using ingredients grown in those areas.

The winner was the Perth and surrounds regional finalist Rhiannon Birch, with her lupin and za’atar crumbed dorper lamb cutlets with Moroccan roast pumpkin.

Mrs Starkie’s marron, pink lady apple and avocado salsa recipe was a collaboration from stall-holders at the Manjimup Farmers Market and was made completely with Southern Forests products, right down to the olive oil.

“The people at the markets will be stoked – they have all been so supportive and really excited about the whole thing, ” Mrs Starkie said.

“The competition has been fantastic and there were so many people at the final.”

The final was held at the Perth Cultural Centre on Monday.