October 20th 2008 saw the fifth annual celebration of International Day of the Chef. New Zealand chefs were once again privileged to hold an event that would kick off a day of festivities around the world aimed at bringing together chefs in celebration of our craft and allow us to not only showcase the industry to future generations but also to give back to our communities and the families that support us in our careers.
Due to the incredible support of Contact Energy, Southern Hospitality, Mediterranean Market and More FM the Otago Southland branch of the New Zealand Chefs Association were able to host the Quick Fire Cuisine Challenge.
Six top local chefs Tyler Martin, (St. Moritz) Nathan (Wai Restaurant) Jason Moss (Waitiri Creek Wines), Joseph Clarke (Blanket Bay Lodge) Chris Smith (Otago Polytechnic – Cromwell campus) and Mark Sycamore (Blanket Bay Lodge) gathered in O’Connell’s Mall to compete in three fun filled 30 minute mystery box cooking competitions.
Each chef was partnered with a local celebrity and was then provided with 2 compulsory ingredients. These were provided courtesy of Havoc Pork, Leelands Lamb and Hereford Prime Beef. From here, each team were given 5 minutes to select their choice of premium produce from the
Mediterranean Market Tasting Table before contesting the challenge against their opponents.
Events got under way with Joseph Clarke cooking with Queenstown Mayor Clive Geddes and Nathan from Wai partnered with local personality Ferg from Classic Hits radio station. In the spirit of the day the cook off was declared a dead heat from all who sampled the teams wonderful mouth watering creations. As the day progressed a good crowd gathered in support of the chefs and the entertainment flowed courtesy of Big Al from More FM. The crowds made use of the fantastic views available inside O’Connell’s Pavillion and got in behind and supported their particular favourites with 'Scoop' and 'Quilly' proving popular throughout their respective cook offs.
“The support we received from the different companies in putting together this event was vital and the good flow of people watching the cook offs created a very successful day and showed what a draw card these kind of events can be. Bernadette Kean, Sweet Treats by Bernadette and Otago Southland NZCA Branch President In what proved to be a coup for the local chefs the biggest draw for the day was introduced for the final cook off. This was NZ double Olympic medallist Bevan Docherty who was cooking with 2007 NZ Chef of the Year Mark Sycamore from Blanket Bay Lodge. “What a great way to showcase our industry to the general public and
encourage young people to consider hospitality as a career”
Mark Sycamore, Chef de
Cuisine, Blanket Bay Lodge
Mark Sycamore – Blanket Bay and Bevan Docherty – NZ double
Olympic medallist showing his competitive spirit!!!!
The Otago Southland Branch would sincerely like to thank all the people who worked hard in putting this event together. Particular thanks need to go to Contact Energy, Southern Hospitality, Mediterranean Market, Gasco, Skyline Enterprises, Grant Jackson and Boardwalk Seafood
Restaurant, Jason Moss and Waitiri Creek Wines, More FM, Leelands Lamb, Havoc Pork, Hereford Prime and Otago Polytechnic Cromwell Campus. For more information or photos of the days events please contact Jason Moss on info@waitiricreek.co.nz or Mark Sycamore at chef@blanketbay.com
