Top young chefs from across New Zealand are honing their skills in preparation for the North and South Island regional finals of the 2024 Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Awards this month.
Young chefs deemed “the best” in their chosen field entered the competition to compete against each other in a series of cooking contests to determine New Zealand’s best chef.
The South Island event will take place at the Ara Institute in Christchurch. Wednesday, June 12 The North Island Qualifier will be held over two days at Ignite College in Auckland. June 13th and 14th.
All chefs aged between 16 and 24 years old enter the competition for the chance to further their culinary careers and give it their all to win the coveted top prize.
Each competing chef will create a two-course menu of main dish and dessert, both of which will be judged by a panel of leading industry judges according to globally recognised culinary standards.
Chef Karl Seidel, Nestlé Professional Commercial Advisory, said cooking in a competitive environment and competing against other top chefs was a valuable learning experience. Participating chefs also received insight and feedback on their culinary skills from experienced judges certified to global standards.
Last year, Joshue Baumann and Lily Bowles won their respective regional qualifiers in New Zealand and advanced to the Grand Final at Fine Food Australia in Sydney.
Reflecting on their experience, Josje and Lily say the rewards of the competition have been invaluable, and that any aspiring chef can excel at the event, regardless of their experience level.
The winners of each of the two regional finals will go on to battle it out in the kitchen against other top chefs from across Australia in an open arena at Fine Food Australia in Melbourne this September.
2024Golden Chef of the YearThe winner will receive a trip to World Chef’s Congress 2024 in Singapore in October and a work experience (worth $10,000).
Now in its 59th year, the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Awards celebrates the careers of up-and-coming chefs from New Zealand and Australia. Two previous winners of this top prize are New Zealanders Sam Haven and Gabby Saunders.
