Jacqui Lambie goes into culinary combat with celebrity chef Ben Milbourne

SENATOR Jacqui Lambie may say she hardly knows her way around a kitchen, but her stir was a charity cook-off winner.

Cook-Off between Senator Jacqui Lambie and celebrity chef Ben Milbourne at the Make-A-Wish Foundation Home and Garden Show in Burnie. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

SHE came, she cooked, she conquered.

Tasmanian independent senator Jacqui Lambie may say she hardly knows her way around a kitchen, but her barbecue beef stir fry saw her beat Tasmanian celebrity chef Ben Milbourne in a charity cook-off.

In full combat gear, Senator Lambie morphed into “Lambo” for an hour as she sliced and diced in front of a crowd at the Burnie Make-A-Wish Home and Garden Show yesterday.

The colourful Burnie politician had her work cut out as the “mystery box” of Tasmanian ingredients was unveiled.

Jacqui Lambie and Ben Milbourne as the “mystery box” of Tasmanian ingredients is unveiled. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

But she had the confidence to tell Milbourne she planned to “kick his butt” in the culinary showdown.

“I’ve cooked for celebrities and high-end judges but this is the most nervous I have been,” Milbourne told the crowd.

Senator Lambie admitted she didn’t cook much at home and her favourite food was Indian cuisine prepared by someone else.

“I had planned on cooking up my four-ingredient hamburgers but it seems that is not to be today. I have no idea what I will be making.”

Senator Lambie chose the Cape Grim scotch fillet and decided to whip up a stir fry.

Milbourne grabbed a fillet of striped trumpeter from Tasmania’s East Coast, deftly chopped onions and fennel, wrapped the parcel and placed it on the hotplate before Senator Lambie had even finished slicing her meat.

But ultimately her dish was judged the better.

Originally published as Jacqui Lambie goes into culinary combat with celebrity chef Ben Milbourne