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The New Zealand National Final of WACS Global Chefs Challenge 2010 will be held on Tuesday 2nd September 2008 at The New Zealand Culinary Fare. Eight Chefs from the regions of The New Zealand Chefs Association will compete for the right to represent New Zealand at the Pacific Region Final in Australia in 2009. With the winner of that competition going on to represent the Pacific region against 6 other chefs from around the world’s continental regions at the World Final in  Santiago, Chile in 2010.

The New Zealand National Final is Proudly organised by

5 Teams gathered in Christchurch, New Zealand on Thursday July 12th for the Regional Final of the Global Chef competition, the preparation for this competition had been on going since the WACS Congress which was also held in New Zealand in March 2006.

This competition was the brain child of WACS President Ferdinand Metz (USA) and it is designed to see who is the best chef in the world.

Each WACS country in the Pacific Rim have held their respective final and now teams have come together for the Regional Final with the winner going on to Dubai for the World final in May 2008.

New Zealand was represented by Darren Wright from Akaroa, and Scott Campbell from Wellington, Fiji’s representative was Ronesh Nath from Suva and Australia’s representatives were, Chris Wade from Melbourne and Shane Keighley from Perth. Each team were permitted to bring with them a student/apprentice to help with basic tasks in the kitchen.

The judging panel also has a big International flavour with Arnold Tanzer - South Africa, John Sloane - Singapore, Rick Stephen – Australia, Neil McInnes – New Zealand & Pip Duncan – New Zealand. WACS also provided an Observer for the competition Mr Graham Hawke’s.

The teams gathered with the judges the day prior to the cook off, they were greeted by the Pacific Rim’s Continental Director, Mr. Glenn Austin. Glenn welcomed all teams to Christchurch and thanked Gary Miller for his role in organising the competition as well as thanked the Christchurch Polytechnic College for the facilities. Competitors were then given a briefing and overview of the DO’S and DON’TS for the competition by the chief judge Rick Stephen, once the boxes had been seen, they were given a wine matching with food seminar and then they had to hand in their menus, teams then had the opportunity to research recipes in their own time.

On the Friday morning of the competition temperatures outside may have only been 2 degrees, but the heat was well and truly turned up inside the kitchen, competitors were given a staggered start as each course were to be put up in 5 minute intervals with a penalty of 1 point per 2 minutes late per course.

3rd place went to Chris Wade of the Point Restaurant in Melbourne – Australia. 

Chris Wade                            Appetiser

Entrée                                     Main

Darren Wright                            Appetiser

Entrée                           Main

 Sweet

1st place went to Shane Keighley from the Mullaloo Beach Hotel, Perth – Australia.

Shane Keighley                         Appetiser

Entrée                                    Main

Dessert

At the presentation, Mr. Glenn Austin thanked all participants on their fantastic effort, and passed on his congratulations to the New Zealand Chefs Association in particular the Canterbury Chef Association and the Christchurch Polytechnic, Glenn also recognized the importance of an International judging panel lead by Rick Stephen.

Overall the competition was a great success for our region, and now it is on to Dubai.