Golden Chefs

Supporting the Culinary Leaders of Tomorrow -

NESTLÉ GOLDEN CHEF’S HAT AWARD 2020

The Nestle´ Golden Chef’s Hat Award has announced the Grand Finalists of the inaugural virtual culinary competition. Two young Kiwi chefs have joined the top ten, impressing judges from across the ditch.

THIS YEAR has been like no other for the competition. In response to the challenges presented by the hospitality lockdowns, it quickly pivoted from a regional cook-off in culinary kitchens across Australia, to video entry. Anew trans-Tasman element was also introduced with the competition launching into New Zealand to support even more chefs.

The New Zealand North Island Grand Finalist, 22-year-old Sam Heaven from the Hawkes Bay, is currently working at The Sugar Club in Auckland’s Sky Tower.

“What motivates me the most is the fact that I’m third generation hospitality, my grandfather and my father were both pastry chefs and I really wanted to follow in their footsteps but I wanted to make my own path and make my own journey at the same time,” explained Heaven.

“I really wanted to use the passion that they passed down to me because hospitality is really in my blood, but I want to find my own way in this industry so that’s why I picked cookery.”

The New Zealand South Island Grand Finalist, 23-year-old Jamie Jackson from Christchurch, is currently working at Crockett Bar and Restaurant.

“One of the best bits of advice I’ve ever been given is just to never stop learning,” expressed Jackson.

“We work in an industry that’s constantly evolving, so sometimes it can be hard to keep up. Being open to always wanting to learn from anyone at any time goes a long way to being successful in this industry.”

NZChefs National President Hughie Blues noted that it was refreshing, in this crazy time, to work alongside partners not only here in New Zealand with Nestlé Professional, but also in Australia with the Australian Culinary Federation.

“Having the opportunity for New Zealand chefs to be part of the Golden Chefs Hat competition and compete against their Ozzy counterparts is a huge plus,” said Blues.

“Given the number of New Zealand entries and the quality and passion showed throughout only goes to prove that, despite the challenges at present, our chefs still have the drive to compete and be the best they can. I wish our two finalists all the very best and I will be watching the live cookoff with a very close eye.”

The 2020 Chef of the Year will be awarded an AUD$10,000 cash prize to further their culinary career.

The Nestlé Golden Chef ’s Hat Award is celebrating 55 years this year and exists to offer the next generation of young chef talent a platform to accelerate their culinary careers and become the culinary leaders of tomorrow.

The Nestlé Golden Chef ’s Hat Award proudly partners with NZChefs and the Australian Culinary Federation who share in the collective vision of being dedicated to the development of young chefs and the future of the industry.

“What motivates me the most is the fact that I’m third generation hospitality, my grandfather and my father were both pastry chefs and I really wanted to follow in their footsteps but I wanted to make my own path and make my own journey at the same time. I really wanted to use the passion that they passed down to me because hospitality is really in my blood, but I want to find my own way in this industry so that’s why I picked cookery.”

“One of the best bits of advice I’ve ever been given is just to never stop learning. We work in an industry that’s constantly evolving, so sometimes it can be hard to keep up. Being open to always wanting to learn from anyone at any time goes a long way to being successful in this industry.”

“The best piece of advice that I’ve been given is that a chef doesn’t produce an amazing dish once, a true chef produces an amazing dish consistently, time and time again.”

“What drew me to food was from a young age I would always watch cooking shows with my Mum and from there the passion just grew.”

“I love how food brings people together. It’s a conversation starter, memories are created, there’s laughter and it’s fun. I love cooking because it allows me to express my personality and creativity on a plate. Since becoming an apprentice chef, I have not only grown as a person, but I have gained more courage to put myself out there. It makes me realise I have so much potential in this career, many paths to take and it makes me so excited for the future.”

“I love cooking because I love bringing joy to people’s lives. Growing up my family always celebrated special occasions by going out to eat at our favourite restaurants. I’m rewarded each day in the kitchen knowing that I’m adding something special to people’s lives.”

“My most memorable culinary moment would have to be competing in the 2019 Trophée Mille. This international competition consisted of 12 other teams from all over the world. We spent just under a month in the champagne region of France. I gained so much skill and knowledge being there, and I’ll never forget the new friendships and contacts I made.”

“For me, being a chef means bringing happiness to customers and I really feel that’s what being a chef should be all about.”

“I love cooking because it’s one of the things I’m most confident with and when I’m cooking my mind is totally shutdown. It’s only about feelings, how the food is going to taste, what the plate is going to be, and I think it’s my life. It’s my chef life.”

“My most memorable culinary experience so far would be winning a gold medal with the Australian Culinary Olympic Youth Team in Germany.”

DAILY NEWS

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THE TOTAL PACKAGE FROM ODD COMPANY

After a cracking first few months in the market, Odd Company, the interesting RTD brand launched in New Zealand at the beginning of the year, has introduced a delicious new flavour variant to its range. Named ‘The Total Package’ this one’s naturally good at everything and strikes the perfect balance of sweetness and refreshment. The Total Package is a light, fresh take on a summery white rum cocktail with a sweet but delicate pineapple

flavour, cut with the sharpness of lime and subtly rounded with tropical cues of coconut.

The Total Package makes a perfect new addition to the suite of Odd Company products, which Kiwis are embracing.

THE TOTAL PACKAGE

White Rum, Pineapple & Lime with Sparkling Water, 10 x 330ml can pack, 5% ABV.

SUNDOWN NEW ZEALAND GIN

A fresh approach for a more sophisticated audience, this low sugar ready to drink cocktail tastes as good as it looks. Locally made in the sunny Bay of Plenty from 100% natural ingredients, you won’t find preservatives in this cheeky little pre-mix. It’ll help you escape the day or transform a night out. Best enjoyed over ice when the sun is out. Sundown Pink Gin with Soda and Sundown Gin & Tonic are now available in cans.

Sundown Pink Gin with Soda

• A traditional dry Gin made with Kawakawa,

Horopito and combined with 100% Natural flavours of Raspberry, Rose and Rhubarb.

This pink Gin is a moreish cocktail with no preservatives and is low in sugar.

Sundown Gin & Tonic

• Sundown Gin is infused with 100% freshly squeezed Hawkes Bay lemons combined with tonic for a timeless match. New Zealand made, it contains a unique blend of 9 botanicals with a kiwi twist - Juniper Berry, Angelica, Lemon, Orange,

Coriander Seeds, Kawakawa, Horopito, Orris Root,

Gentian Root. Both available in 6-pack, 250ml, 5% ABV

PALS

Pals, in four thirst-quenching flavours, use only a minimal number of the best ingredients to be sourced. Pals RTDs are low in natural sugar with the sweetness coming only from Hawke’s Bay apples. Pals have used premium, all-natural flavours and real lemon and lime fruit extracts from the Hawke’s Bay. Unlike many other RTDs on the market, Pals also only use extremely clean, highquality spirits, hence why Pals are so smooth. Their ingredients are great for mates who are also glutenfree & vegan, plus Pals are free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.

Pals Vodka Hawke’s Bay Lime and Soda

• This refreshing option is a beautiful blend of premium vodka, Hawke’s Bay lime and soda water. Low in carbs, high on flavour and maxed out on freshness.

Pals Vodka Watermelon Mint and Soda

• This refreshing option is a beautiful blend of premium vodka, watermelon, mint, and soda water. Clean, fresh and simple. Both available in 10-pack, 330ml, 5% ABV

TUI HARD SODA

Following the success of Tui Bourbon and Cola and Tui Vodka Lime and Soda, the iconic Kiwi brand has released a range of hard soda RTDs. The new range features local fruit extracts and caters to drinkers who are interested in the increasingly popular easy drinking lower-sugar RTD style. Inspired by the global drinks trend of ‘hard’ or ‘spiked’ sparkling water beverages, Tui Hard Sodas have a refreshingly light taste profile with a dry, sharp soda finish. Made using a blend of vodka, sparkling water, local fruit extracts from around the country, and flavours, the range packs a delicious punch especially thanks to Waikato Raspberry, Otago Peach and Gisborne Orange extracts. Tui Hard Sodas are available in three variants:

Waikato Raspberry, Lime and Soda

• A vibrant burst of raspberry upfront, paired with a zesty lime which brings crispness and balances the fresh berry hit, leaving a final delicate finish.

Otago Peach, Apple and Soda

• Sweet peach paired with a grounding crisp apple base, bringing a satisfyingly light yet rich taste profile.

Gisborne Orange, Mango and Soda

• A robust classic combination of a sweet tart orange paired with juicy ripe mango to deliver a crisp finish. All in 10 x 330ml can pack, 5% ABV

WILDXSODA

Aotearoa’s most refreshing vodka soda with no sugar, no carbs and only natural ingredients. WildxSoda uses all-natural extracts and essences derived from natural sources from New Zealand and overseas. The flavours are light and easy on the pallet. Only distilled spirits are used in WildxSoda, they use cane sugar as it is inherently fermentable and in its current state it does not require the addition of enzymes or added chemicals. It is a cleaner and more efficient way of making vodka and the distilling process also makes them vegan friendly.

WildxSoda Vodka x Berry

• Vodka and soda with a splash of berry natural flavouring for a taste that’s fresh and a little fruity.

WildxSoda Vodka x Blood Orange

• Vodka, soda and blood orange has subtle sweet notes, almost like a Fanta but with no sugar. Both available in 10-pack, 330ml, 5% ABV

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