Supplied Content
Auckland, August 16, 2023
Auckland is turning up the heat, with the 2023 Australasia Tapas Competition kicking off at Ignite Colleges in Manukau on September 5, 2023.
The fiery cook-off will see 20 talented chefs from both sides of the Tasman showcase their style, skill and stamina as they go head-to-head for the grand title of Australasian Tapas Champion and the chance to secure their spot in the World Tapas Competition in Valladolid, Spain in November.
With just 25 minutes to whip up eight portions of show-stopping tapas, contestants will be pushed to their limits as a panel of leading celebrity chefs including Simon Gault, Michael Meredith and award-winning pastry chef Callum Liddicoat critique their culinary creations.
Competition Organiser and Strategic Partnership Association Vice President for Skills, Chef Jasbir Kaur is excited to bring the annual event back to Auckland for the fifth time.
A lifetime opportunity
She said that the Competition provides an opportunity of a lifetime for chefs who are hungry to make their mark in the industry, both here and overseas.
“This is a contest where chefs can pit their skills against other industry trailblazers and truly push their culinary boundaries. Each tapas dish will be scored on presentation, originality, flavour and business potential. Every year the competition dishes get better and better and for 2023 we are expecting contestants to knock the judges’ socks off,” she said.
With the winner securing an all-expenses paid trip to Spain and the opportunity to represent Australasia at the World Tapas Competition, the stakes are high but it will be well worth the blood, sweat and tears for one gifted chef.
The Contest has fast-tracked the careers of some of our hottest rising stars and has secured New Zealand’s place on the global culinary stage.
New Zealand is the only country in the world that has placed at the World Tapas Competition twice in the event’s history.
Our shining Stars
In 2018, SkyCity Chef Sheyun (Dani) Chun was crowned World Tapas Champion and last year Poni Commercial Bay Head Chef Frederick Wong earned second place.
Fred said that the ten days in Spain opened his eyes to the world of tapas.
“The tapas are next level – very simple in presentation but unique in flavour. I am trying to duplicate some of them in New Zealand. Last year was such an amazing year for me since I represented New Zealand in Spain and won second place in the World Tapas Competition. It was a milestone and has inspired me to keep exploring tapas, and the world,” he said.
The Australasia Tapas Competition is sponsored by E-Spain, Unox, Hospitality Training Trust, Great Taste NZ and Nestlé.
The event, starting at 8.30 am at Ignite Colleges Cookery School (98 Kerrs Road, Manukau) on September 5, 2023 is open to all.
