MOST people in Bundaberg know you don't mess with Shirley Baldwin in the kitchen - and soon the whole country will know, thanks to an upcoming TV appearance.

Mrs Baldwin, president of the Queensland Country Women's Association Hinkler branch, has been approached by producers from Channel 7's Better Homes and Gardens to appear on their show alongside cooking presenter Fast Ed.

The QCWA cooking committee vice-president and cooking convenor for the Burnett district said producers contacted the organisation's state office and asked to be put in touch with an outstanding member.

"I nearly fainted when they contacted me," she said.

"I have been on Channel 9 before, three or four years ago on Brisbane Extra."

Mrs Baldwin has been a member of the QCWA since 1980 and has left hundreds of cooking rivals in her wake over the years.

"I have won the most prizes at state level," she said.

"I won 14 Queensland titles and numerous other awards - 1980 was the first year I entered and I won the state with my chocolate cake."

After winning so many awards over the years, the kitchen extraordinaire decided to enter no more.

"There came a time when I thought enough is enough," she said.

"It was time to stand down. Like an athlete, there comes a point in your life when you can just not continue."

Mrs Baldwin said details relating to the episode in which she would appear were still in the planning stages, but filming would take place in the new year.

"This is a definite highlight for me," she said.

Alongside her bulging swag of awards, Mrs Baldwin has judged numerous shows and competitions, and run cooking classes and workshops at AgroTrend and various Queensland schools.

For a time, she was also the NewsMail's resident Taste Test cook, where she would cook up recipes sent in by members of the public and allow very willing NewsMail staff members to taste them and judge which ones were the winners.