Growing up, Carl Swanson always enjoyed cooking and the influence food had on bringing people together. He would enjoy cooking with his grandparents, while his cousins played PlayStation.
As he got older, he began reading a lot of cooking books and watching food-related YouTube shows, bringing out an excitement and a desire to give things a go himself. Swanson studied at NorthTec in Whangarei under some great tutors who he was lucky enough to work with in their own café. After travelling and cooking in West Africa for some time, Swanson came back to New Zealand and worked across various restaurants around the country before landing at Hamilton’s Smith & McKenzie Steak House. Here, he began as a chef and in his seven years has worked his way up to Head Chef.
Smith & McKenzie Steak House is designed as a tribute to the old New York steakhouses. Inside is a blend of industrial and modern themes, combined with historical butchery elements. Quality steaks are a highlight of the contemporary menu and all are sourced with great care to ensure customers' steak experience is second to none. The steakhouse offers several special occasion and function options including a Chef’s Table dining experience and a private mezzanine-level room.
Smith & McKenzie dry age their steak on site using a slow cooking technique to ensure a memorable steak experience. The restaurant is recognised on a national level having received the Westpac Waikato Business Excellence Award for Best Hospitality Business and Supreme Winner for Business Excellence. Smith & McKenzie Steak House was also recently nominated in the top five best local restaurants in New Zealand.
The business this year ran its 13th annual Cheesecake Festival. Every August in a month-long competition, ten schools/organisations concoct a flavour of cheesecake which the steakhouse then creates and displays to sell. From each cheesecake slice sold, $1 goes back to the school/organisation. Customers vote for their favourite cheesecake and at the end of the month, votes are combined with sales records to award a winner with a trophy and a $500 Smith & McKenzie voucher. The winning cheesecake is featured on the restaurant’s dessert menu for the following year.
At Smith & McKenzie, Swanson has faced the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, and its major effects on the hospitality industry. In the past year, the head chef has lost key members of his team and staff shortages are creating a struggle when it comes to finding new great chefs. The rising costs of food and fuel is creating a demand for better pay in the hospitality industry and a lot of up-and-coming chefs are seeking the best opportunities possible.
The chef does not let this get him down though, as meeting new friends within the industry is one of his favourite parts of the job. Swanson gets to know new faces by attending training courses, learning about local produce and where to source fresh ingredients from. He hopes to see more young people entering the industry but, as ready-made food is so easily accessible in modern times, fears young people may not find passion for a career path in the culinary arts. His advice to those starting out in their hospitality journey is to remember that perseverance pays off, and putting in the hard yards is worth it. Ultimately, the satisfaction on customers’ faces when his team serves a nice meal is what pushes the chef through the harder times.
“When customers acknowledge the team, it is such a satisfying feeling.”
Swanson’s advice to those looking to begin their hospitality journey is to keep an open mind.
“Listen to what everyone has to say, always try new things, and travel - for experience and to try cuisines of different cultures.”
The chef’s goal is to continue to improve in his role, with a lot still to learn. At Smith & McKenzie, Swanson has some pretty exciting things coming up, benefitting his learning curve and setting the team on new ventures. He enjoys thinking about the possibilities of one day owning a restaurant of his own, but is currently really enjoying his time and experiences at the steakhouse.
smithandmckenzie.co.nz
