Home Uncategorised

Lamington contest kicks off Australia Day in Aspen

Last weekend in Aspen, a suited kangaroo and bottles of Penfolds created the scene for a global Australia Day celebration as celebrity chef Neil Perry kicked off celebrations with the 2016 Neil Perry Lamington Contest.

Last weekend in Aspen, a suited kangaroo and bottles of Penfolds created the scene for a global Australia Day celebration as celebrity chef Neil Perry kicked off celebrations with the 2016 Neil Perry Lamington Contest.

Held on the rooftop of the Residences at The Little Nell, part of celebrating all things Australian-a for Aspen Snowmass’ top international market saw talented chefs vie for the honour of baking the winning, traditional Australian favorite sweet.

For the third consecutive year, Aspen Snowmass Resort Ambassador, Neil Perry AM, presided over a high altitude cook-off; last year the chefs competed with meat pies, in 2014 Pavlova desserts, and this year lamingtons, however, lamingtons with a twist.

_34A5346

Photo credit: Jeremy Swanson

“Let’s make it a bit fun this year and really be inspired. Meaning I want the creativity of the valleys chefs to go wild. So the lamington is to be reinterpreted and there are no holds barred,”

Neil Perry, Celebrity Chef

The only rules were the lamington must contain sponge, chocolate, coconut and raspberry jam, the four key ingredients in the Australian icon. “Other than that, the sky is the limit”.

Five chefs from top restaurants including The Little Nell, Viceroy Snowmass (both hotels are run by Australian General Managers), Ajax Tavern, Buttermilk Mountain Bakery and 520 Grill presented their lamington versions to the judges.

Baking at high altitude, with the chefs not having prepared or tasted lamingtons previously, was no easy feat. However, Aspen Snowmass chefs are renowned for their creativity.

_34A5454

Photo credit: Jeremy Swanson

Bret Vandermark of Buttermilk Mountain Bakery re-invented the lamington with a vanilla sponge cake, coconut rum mousse, double choc cream, raspberry coulis and a fresh raspberry compote. However, it wasn’t enough to take down the winner, Curtis Cameron of The Little Nell, who believes his Buttermilk sponge pushed him over the line, which was combined with Valrohna chocolate and desiccated coconut.

“It was simple”, he said, “but with great ingredients. I also didn’t add raspberry jam, which I believe is highly controversial, but I was willing to take the risk and go out on a limb”.

The Little Nell Managing Director, Australian Simon Chen, said he hadn’t passed his Chef any secrets, but the win was fueling a healthy rivalry with his old friend and GM of the Viceroy Snowmass, Australian Hugh Templeman. “Ashley Jenkin of the Viceroy has won the past two years. So now it’s 2 -1, they’re still ahead though!”

_34A5488

Photo credit: Jeremy Swanson

On Australia Day proper, celebrations kick off at Aspen Mountain with the Silver Queen Gondola opening one hour early at 8 am, where free vegemite toast will be served until 9am. At all four mountain bases, Guest Services will be issuing Tim Tams, Aussie flags and stickers, with Aussie tunes from chairlift tower speakers and lift stations getting skiers in the mood.

The southern cross flag will be raised atop Highlands Bowl at Aspen Highlands at 3, 774m and keep an eye out for Aussie road signs on gondolas and mountain trails.

Taste buds will be tingling with participating on-mountain restaurants featuring BBQs including sausage sizzles, Snags & Beer lunch specials, and Aussie Burgers with beetroot, pineapple and fried eggs. Joey, the Aspen Snowmass’ skiing kangaroo will be on the slopes, with the Aspen Gondola Plaza serving lamingtons between 3 – 4pm and the Aussie Day Closing Festivities at Chair 9 at The Little Nell.

Will you be celebrating this year’s Australia Day abroad? Share you celebration pics with the KarryOn readers by sending them to editor@karryon.com.au