Prize will see 21 year-old working with New Zealand’s leading eateries

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A 21 year-old chef from Sheffield has scooped the top prize at last months New Zealand-United Kingdom Culinary Challenge.

Chris Hagan, a student at Castle College, Sheffield, took part in the event which was open to all chefs aged 18-23 throughout colleges and restaurants across the country, with finalists taking part in a live two-hour “cook-off”.

Tutor Mick Burke said: “Chris was an outstanding student who went on to work for a Michelin star restaurant and I knew that he possessed passion, skill and drive to win”.

The final event took place on 20th September at Londons Olympia Exhibition Hall in front of a panel of top judges from the Craft Guild of Chefs. The judges commented on Chris’s skill, passion and determination as he worked tirelessly to produce his three courses.

Winning the competition has won him a 5-week trip to New Zealand where he will work in some of the countrys leading restaurants.

On winning his prize, Chris said: “This is a fantastic chance for me to work in New Zealand’s top restaurants and to sample their culture and cuisine. I”m grateful to the Foundation for giving me this opportunity”.

He received his prize at a ceremony hosted in London by the New Zealand High Commissioner Jonathan Hunt on 2nd October.

The young Chef paid tribute to both Castle College and his employers, Fischers of Baslow, the Michelin Starred restaurant in Derbyshire. Chris said: “I”m really grateful for the support and inspiration I”ve been given over a number of years, from Sheffield College and from Max Fischer and Rupert Rowley at Fischers.”

“It’s great that the college works so closely with Fischers and other top employers because of the real world experience it gives to students”.

Alex Gore.

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