Whiz creates top cake

COMPETING in shows is in Geoff Beattie's blood, and after winning more than 200 first-place ribbons in competitive cooking - he's got it to an art.

Geoff Beattie takes out first place at the Ekka's fruit cake competition. Picture: Sarah Keayes

YOU could say that competing in shows is in Geoff Beattie's blood.

His mother and father showed cattle in the 1950s and '60s and his brother and son are doing the same at this year's Royal Queensland Show, but it's in the kitchen that Mr Beattie has made his mark.

The 63-year-old Glamorgan Vale resident has won more than 2000 first-place ribbons in competitive cooking competitions across Australia and is competing in this year's Ekka.

Ironically, it was an accident with a bull that got him in the kitchen in the first place.

“I was injured by a cow while working in a meat works and while I was laid up I took up cooking to help out my wife, that was what really started my love of cooking,” Mr Beattie said.

“When I lost my wife, I continued it more as a therapy thing.”

This year Mr Beattie was particularly proud of his passionfruit butter and winning the prestigious Florence Morgan Memorial Prize for best rich dark fruitcake.

“That's the hardest one to win,” he said.

There are prizes but Mr Beattie scoffs at suggestions it could help pay the bills.

“I doubt anyone does it for the money, you definitely won't become a millionaire from it I can promise you that,” he said.

Although not wanting to give too many secrets away, he is willing to part with a small piece of advice for would-be cooking champions.

“I think the trick to making good fruit cake is to let it cook without checking on it,” he said.

“Set your time as slow as possible and leave it alone.”

Originally published as Whiz creates top cake