Shropshire cooks in running for top veggie prize

Two Shropshire cooks are in the running for a top prize in a contest to find the nation's best meat-free dish.

Wendy McDonald, from Darwin Close, Market Drayton, and Susan Edwards, from Ditherington, Shrewsbury, hope their favourite vegetarian dishes will help them win.

They are bidding for a place in a TV series and could also see their dishes served up on thousands of dinner tables if they triumph.

Mrs McDonald submitted a recipe for a chestnut and mushroom casserole and a quinoa risotto while Mrs Edwards came up with a butternut squash and spinach lasagna.

They are vying for success in a regional campaign launched by Linda McCartney Foods.

Contest spokeswoman Caroline Drewniak said: "The search for the tastiest meat-free dish encourages everyone across the UK to submit their best meat-free recipe — local variations are also welcome.

"The people who enter will have the chance to have their dish become part of the current range, will hit shelves across the UK in autumn 2011."

The judging panel will choose three finalists in early February. They will be filmed in their home towns for mini-documentaries, which will air in April on ITV.

Ms Drewniak said: "We have had some great recipes come in from Shropshire which are on our Top 10 list, including the chestnut and mushroom casserole and lovely butternut squash and spinach lasagna."

The final date for recipes to be submitted is January 28 on www.tastiestmeatfree."co.uk

The winner will also get a Baumatic cooker of choice worth up to £1,500 and a hand-made table by Titchmarsh & Goodwin worth £4,000.