The knives were out for the launch of the annual Tweed Foodie Fest in northern New South Wales.

Three of the region's best chefs were given 45 minutes to create a signature dish from a table loaded with local produce donated by the stallholders at the Murwillumbah Farmers' Market.

The Three Chef Cook Off has turned into a hotly contested event and the chefs taking up the challenge were Thomas Pirker from Mavis' Kitchen, Aaron Wilkinson of The Balcony Restaurant and, back to defend his title, Jonathon Evans from Ju Ju's Cafe.

The winner was selected by 30 members of the public who tasted and scored their favourite dish.

Jonathon Evan's 'Taste of the Tweed' signature dish, a summery tasting plate, was named the 2014 winner.

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"I did a nice Thai beef salad but I rolled it in blanched cos leaves with marinated beef, organic caprese salad, rolled eggplant with goat's cheese and olives and stuffed zucchini flower," he said.

Mr Evans says that as a chef it's a good thing to know your local producers.

"I have a very good relationship with all the farmers and they do call me on occasion, tell me what's coming up and what's available," he said.

He says it is important to support local farmers and around 90 per cent of the food on the menu at his cafe is sourced locally.

"Especially when you get out-of-towners and they ask where the meat has come from and it's labelled there on the menu so it's a good awareness," he said.

"I have a little display out the front of the restaurant with all the produce, and they always come in and ask what's there and how to cook it."

The five-day Tweed Foodie Fest features food trails, farm tours, workshops, a film night, and the Tweed's Biggest Dinner Party.