Spam-tastic finale to Park Holidays UK cookery contest

A summer-long celebration of Spam by Park Holidays UK came to a tasty conclusion this autumn with the finals held in London of the 2010 Spam Cook of the Year competition.

The cook-off, judged by TV chef Phil Vickery, saw Shannon Stenning from Burgess Hill, West Sussex, take the national title with her mouth-wateringly original recipe for Spam Rosti.

Sharon's dish, involving a pan-fried mixture of Spam and grated potato with a butter sauce, was pitted against those of the five other finalists competing at the Good Housekeeping Institute.

It brought to an end the search sponsored by Park Holidays UK to find  winning recipes featuring one of Britain's best-loved convenience foods.

Guests at the group's 25 holiday parks in southern England this year were invited to take part in the contest by creating a unique dish in which Spam took the starring role.

Ideas up-loaded to the competition website and voted on by the public included Spam Cous-cous, Spam Risotto, Jamaican Jerk Spam, and the Italian-influenced Spam-ghetti.

"It was a fantastic contest which brought out some really imaginative new ideas about how to treat this family favourite," said Tony Clish, director of Park Holidays UK (www.ParkHolidaysUK.com).

"Like holidays at the seaside, Spam is one of those fond memories many of us have from childhood, which is why we thought it would be great to celebrate both with this competition," he added.

Tony said he was grateful to celebrity chef Paul Vickery for tasting his way through the finalists.

A familiar face on TV shows Ready, Steady, Cook and Good Morning, Phil is a former AA Chef of the Year and gained a Michelin star for the Castle Hotel in Taunton where he was head chef.

Joining winner Shannon in the celebrations were runners-up Chris Bailey from Cheltenham with his recipe for Spam Galettes, and Emma Robson from Great Yarmouth who devised a Spam Mousse.

"Holidays are all about doing something different, and that includes getting creative in the kitchen - so hopefully some of these recipes will be an inspiration for next year's guests!" said Tony.

Park Holidays UK, he commented, had welcomed a record number of visitors in 2010 - and many of the group's parks are being expanded to cope with an even higher anticipated demand next year.

Details about the Park Holidays UK's parks in Devon, Dorset, and southern and eastern England can be found at www.ParkHolidaysUK.com, or call 0845 815 9797 for a brochure.

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Archived Piece

Spam Fans Chance to Serve Up a Winner at Park Holidays UK! 

Park Holidays UK has become the official park sponsor of the 2010 Spam Cook of the Year competition to find winning recipes featuring one of Britain's best-loved convenience foods.

Helping the group to launch the Spam challenge to holidaymakers is TV chef Phil Vickery who will be judging the shortlisted entries at a London cook-off this autumn.

Meanwhile, guests at Park Holidays UK have until 31 August to create a unique dish in which Spam is a star - and to upload their recipe and a picture to the Spam website.

Park Holidays UK director Tony Clish believes a family break this summer could provide just the right opportunity for dad, mum or even a youngster to get inspired by Spam:

"Holidays are all about doing something different, and that includes getting creative in the kitchen - so who knows what mouth-watering ideas our guests will come up with!" said Tony.

"Like family holidays at the seaside, Spam is one of those fond memories many of us have from childhood. That's why we thought it would be great to celebrate both with this competition.

"The winning idea could be as simple as a salad, or as exotic as Spam sushi. As long as it looks good and tastes delicious, our guests will be in with a chance," he added.

The British public will vote online for their favorite recipes when the competition closes, after which seven regional winners will be declared.

They will then be invited to take part in the grand final at the Good Housekeeping Institute in London in October where Phil Vickery will decide who should be crowned the 2010 Spam Cook of the Year.

A familiar face on TV shows Ready, Steady, Cook and Good Morning, Phil is a former AA Chef of the Year and gained a Michelin star for the Castle Hotel in Taunton where he was head chef.

But Phil isn't the only celebrity Spam fan: in his recent popular TV series 70s Feasts, Heston Blumenthal showed viewers how to create the perfect nostalgic Spam fritter.

Following the final cook-off, Park Holidays UK will be featuring the winning recipe on its website - and the winners will receive a free weekend or mid-week break at any of its 25 holiday parks.

Park Holiday UK is a member of the British Holidays and Home Parks Association, which serve and represent the interests of the British parks industry.

ENTER THE COMPETITION WITH YOUR OWN RECIPE HERE