QUEENSLANDERS who have discovered their inner Masterchef during the coronavirus lockdown are being challenged to test their culinary skills against the stalwarts of bush cooking.
Home cooks are encouraged to dish up tried and tested recipes from the Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA), in a 'boost your healthy' challenge launched by Health and Wellbeing Queensland this week.
The aim is to inspire Queenslanders to cook healthy meals from the QCWA Country Kitchens program.
Participants whip up a dish, or another healthy alternative, then upload a photo with prizes to be won.
Health and Wellbeing Queensland chief cxecutive Robyn Littlewood said while dining-in restrictions were easing, she encouraged people to continue embracing the healthy home cooking skills picked up during lockdown.
"We're partnering with the QCWA and calling on Queenslanders to get inspired by the time-honoured delicious and healthy recipes from the QCWA Country Kitchens program," Dr Littlewood said.
"This is the latest challenge in a whole series of healthy challenges we are laying down as part of the 'boost your healthy' campaign.
"During COVID-19 and with the upcoming flu season, there's no better time than now to boost your healthy eating, movement and wellbeing."
Food consultant and QCWA member Alison Alexander said Queenslanders were spoiled for choice when it came to the abundance of fresh produce available in their own state.
Ms Alexander, the inaugural Queensland Food Fellow, said it was incredible to live in Queensland with so many regions featuring many different micro-climates and producing thousands of tonnes of food for markets around Australia and overseas.
"I have always been interested in seasonal produce and appreciating a recipe prepared with fresh ingredients at the right time of the year," Ms Alexander said.
"With our fast-paced life, temporarily suspended with COVID-19, we enjoyed the chance to cook at home and revisit cooking skills we thought we had long forgotten.
"I encourage you to keep up this activity and challenge you to try one of the healthy recipes the team at Country Kitchens posts daily."
QCWA State President Christine King said the state government funded QCWA Country Kitchens program aimed to support people living in Queensland to improve their health.
"The QCWA, very proudly, rallies in times of crisis to help out," Mrs King said.
"Since COVID-19 travel restrictions were put in place our Country Kitchens team has worked hard to switch how they connect with their facilitators around the state and has used social media very successfully to achieve this.
"This has included having daily healthy recipes appearing on the QCWA Country Kitchens Facebook to promote key messages of getting more fruit and veg into your meals, cooking at home and sitting less and moving more.
"We've also been posting activities every weekend to boost your physical activity and a weekly craft activity to support good mental health."
Mrs King said the QCWA was pleased to be working closely with Queensland's new health promotion agency Health and Wellbeing Queensland to create the QCWA cook at home challenge.
To register visit https://hw.qld.gov.au/bigboost/ and see www.qcwacountrykitchens.com.au/recipes/ for recipe ideas and tips.