NZ Claims Top Award at Global Chef Challenge
Jun 28, 2023
Nestlé Professional is one of the key sponsors of this worldwide event. The Auckland semifinal drew in a big crowd to watch top chefs from the Cook Islands, Australia, Fiji and New Zealand battle it out in the live kitchen cook off.
Racing against the clock, Cameron delivered his standout dishes kicking things off with a sake cured Akaroa Salmon, and smoked salmon and pickled vegetable tartlet. That was followed up with a dukkah crusted Lumina lamb saddle, crispy sweetbread bonbon and a warm salad of brussel sprout, broad bean and pecorino with a madeira and hazelnut jus. Dessert was a chocolate mandarin made using a chocolate mousse, almond and mandarin cake.
Cameron says he was elated with the win which followed months of hard work and preparation for the big event.
“On the day, you have to get everything right from the final dishes through to impressing the judges with your skills and technique. It’s fast-paced and a lot of pressure but the end result is worth it all.”
He will now go on to represent New Zealand at the Global Chef Final in Singapore in October 2024.
Cameron who is the owner operator of the Fat Duck in Te Anau is no stranger when it comes to winning competitions and generally championing the hospitality industry.
Cooking since the age of 10, he went on to train as a chef at CPIT and represented them at the 15th Nestle Toque d’Or event in 2005 where he won double gold medals. He was also named a Beef + Lamb Ambassador in 2022. During his career, he has worked in a number of prestigious chef roles around the world and has cooked for many high-profile celebrities.
Cameron says he gets his inspiration by devising creative applications of high quality locally sourced ingredients.
