Ballarat hospitality venues are being challenged to create a pasta made with love to comfort residents through the last weeks of winter and another COVID-19 lockdown.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Twelve venues are participating in the Ballarat Pasta Challenge, initiated by Commerce Ballarat, from July 22 to August 1.
Participating restaurant Table 48 is offering a penne pasta with fresh chili, onion and bacon in a rich napoli sauce.
Owner Gus Raschilla said he hoped the challenge would be a boost to his business while operating for takeaway and delivery only during the fifth Victorian COVID-19 lockdown.
A bowl of pasta doesn't just make you feel warm and fuzzy, it has a great impact across the community.
- Jodie Gillett, Commerce Ballarat CEO
He said he was thankful for support from Commerce Ballarat and the restaurant's loyal customers.
"At the moment we have got not other choice. We can either go home and twiddle our thumbs or do what we can," Mr Raschilla said.
"We have fantastic clientele, we couldn't do it without them. They are helping keep us going, pay our bills and keep 11 people employed."
Commerce Ballarat chief executive Jodie Gillett said the Ballarat Pasta Challenge not only supported hospitality venues, but also their suppliers, producers, growers and employees.
"A bowl of pasta doesn't just make you feel warm and fuzzy, it has a great impact across the community," she said.
Ms Gillett said many hospitality businesses, particularly larger venues, had closed completely this lockdown as takeaway-only was not seen a viable option.
"The ones that are open, we need to do what we can for them," she said.
Other pastas on offer as part of the challenge are house made gnocchi with braised lamb shank at The City Oval Hotel and garlic prawn and chorizo fettuccini at Brown Hill Hotel.
Country Casseroles is offering tuna mornay and Azzuri is serving up pumpkin ravioli.
You can vote for your favourite pasta online.
Visit the Commerce Ballarat website for the full list of participating venues and their pasta dishes.
Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.