Sparkography

Dateline: Thursday 22^nd Oct

Time: 18.30

Venue: Simmer On The Bay

Mission: Investigate rumours that eight of the biggest media agencies in Sydney were congregating for an almighty showdown, armed with sharp knives, hot plates and, er, blunt spoons.

Yes, it was that time again for the Better Homes and Gardens Agency Cook Off; think Masterchef meets Ready Steady Cook with eight pairs of budding Jamies and Nigellas fighting it out for bragging rights. Oh, and a trophy which handily doubles up as a saucepan.

There was a 50s theme to this year’s event, so the crew from organisers Pacific Magazines turned up as extras from Grease, and the Mitchell’s girls followed suit by forming a posse of pink ladies to cheer on their cooks. In fact I think the supporters from all the agencies made an effort…apart from our rabble from OMD.

Still, the proof is, as they say, in the pudding. Or rather in the stir fry, as the culinary theme of the evening was unveiled as Asian. Yep, I’m still wondering how that relates to the 50s.

Anyhoo…there were four workstations spread around the converted warehouse, meaning two first rounds with the top two agencies from each round (decided by the Danny and Sandy lookalike judges) going through to the final. There were also four proper chefs on hand to guide the teams and prevent too much hot oil from going into the woks. After all one doesn’t really want to burn down an award winning, architect designed, waterfront building does one?

To cut a long story short, OMD’s duo of Cook Off veteran Jane Whittington and newbie Cate Mathers did a proper job on the others by going through to the final and winning it! And for dessert, Jane treated everyone to a belting impromptu rendition of a presumably “sung many a time at karaoke” Hopelessly Devoted To You.

And then we all got drunk. Mission accomplished.