Published on Tuesday, 15 September 2026 at 2:58:38 PM
The stories behind Australia’s best country show cooking will be shared at Albany Public Library this September when author Liz Harfull visits to discuss her latest book, The New Blue Ribbon Cookbook.
An award-winning rural journalist, author and communicator, Harfull has spent decades capturing the stories of everyday people and the traditions that shape regional communities.
Her latest book celebrates the fiercely competitive world of agricultural show cooking, bringing together time-honoured recipes, practical advice and stories from winning cooks across Australia.
The book features recipes that have been tested in competition, with knowledge from experienced cooks and meticulous show judges who have refined the art of selecting the best of the best.
The book also shares the stories of a diverse range of cooks, aged from nine to 90, and explores the rich traditions of agricultural shows and their enduring importance to communities across the country.
Manager Arts and Culture Paul Nielsen said the author talk would provide a fascinating insight into an Australian tradition familiar to many regional communities.
“Country shows and the recipes associated with them hold a special place in many communities, with skills, recipes and knowledge often passed down through generations,” he said.
“Liz has done a wonderful job of capturing not only the recipes, but the people and stories behind them, and we’re delighted to welcome her to Albany to share some of those stories with our community.”
Harfull grew up on a small farm near Mount Gambier and began her career as a rural journalist. She published her first book, The Blue Ribbon Cookbook, in 2008, which became a bestseller, and has since written ten books exploring Australian food, regional life and community history.
During the Albany event, Harfull will share stories about the inspiring cooks featured in her latest book and her passion for preserving traditional recipes and knowledge that might otherwise be lost.
An Afternoon with Liz Harfull will be held at Albany Public Library on Thursday, September 17 from 2pm to 3pm.
Afternoon tea will be provided, with copies of The New Blue Ribbon Cookbook available to purchase at the event.
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