Multiple-award winning and renowned Swedish chef Gert Klotzke has been selected to judge at this year’s top student culinary competition alongside an elite group of top chefs.
“During his career, he has notched up numerous accolades and achievements, appeared on a gastronomic stamp collection, been in two teams that have won the Culinary Olympics, written multiple cookbooks and culinary publications and is the current Chairperson of the WorldChefs Culinary Competition Committee, the length and breadth of his knowledge and experience is extraordinary,” according to Graham Hawkes, national president of NZChefs.
In its 26th year, Nestlé Toque d’Or is one of the most anticipated events of the year for the hospitality industry.
“It’s a student culinary showdown that showcases a thrilling array of young culinary and restaurant service talent. Every year, the event becomes even more exciting, as the students seek to lift the bar from previous competitions and dazzle the judges with clever techniques and intriguing menus.”
The students are studying and training in culinary arts institutes all over the country and are the best in their fields and just competing is an honour.
This year’s judges are:
Darren Wright – Chef Owner at Chillingworth Road
Gert Klötzke – Chair of the WorldChefs Culinary Committee
Murray Dick – WorldChefs Continental Director Pacific Region
Simon Gault – Chef Owner Sous Chef
Graham Brown – Executive Chef NZ Deer Industry
Jinu Abraham – Executive Chef Heritage Hotel
Nancye Pirini – Executive Chef Novotel Auckland Airport
Karen Doyle – Chef Tutor Le Cordon Bleu Sydney
Jie Min Aw – Head Pastry Chef at JetPark Hotel and Conference Centre
William Mordido – Assistant head Chef Chikkos
Janine Quaid – Renard Group
John Snowball – Tutor Cook Islands Tertiary Institute
Kerry Tyack – Consultant
Caroline Shaw – Tutor Cook Islands Tertiary Institute
Nestlé Toque d’Or will be held on 29 July 2016 at the Auckland Showgrounds. An awards dinner will be held later in the evening where the winning team will be announced.
