Opportunity of a Lifetime Opens up to Young Chefs

 Fonterra Foodservice’s Proud to be a Chef opens for business in 2012

Young New Zealand trainee chefs are invited to vie for the opportunity of a lifetime with the fourth annual Fonterra Proud to be a Chef programme, proudly hosted by Fonterra’s Foodservice division.

The programme, targeting trainee chefs, gives ten culinary protégés the chance to impress some of New Zealand’s most respected chefs at a semi-finals event, staged at the AUT School of Hospitality in November.

There, four lucky contestants will be selected to compete in the exclusive, all expenses paid, Melbourne finals from 25-28 February 2013 where they will join 28 Australian competitors.  During the event they will be mentored by some of the best chefs in Australia, experience fine dining, participate in culinary Master Classes and work with a food photographer to bring an original recipe to life.  

All this before one stand out trainee chef is crowed the overall winner receiving an international culinary scholarship valued at $7,500, and tailored to their individual aspirations as a professional chef.

The Fonterra Proud to be a Chef programme has a history of celebrating the crème of New Zealand and Australian culinary talent. Designed to publically encourage, reward and recognise future culinary leaders, 2012 marks the programme’s fourteenth year in Australia and fourth year here in New Zealand.

Fonterra Foodservice’s Marketing Manager, Anna Maginness, says Fonterra is thrilled to continue its support of future generations of New Zealand chefs.

“Fonterra Proud to be a Chef is in its fourth year here in New Zealand and already it’s one of the most aspirational events in the culinary calendar. Few opportunities at this level offer such a high calibre of mentoring, underpinned by an amazing competitive challenge.

“What’s more, the event has proven to be a springboard for success, as each year competitors blaze a trail for ongoing events.

“This year’s competition saw finalist William Mordido recently win the Auckland Regional Youth Skills Final, heading to Germany to represent New Zealand in the World Skills Final, while Zane Neustroski travelled to Korea with the NZ Culinary Team to attend the Junior Chefs Forum as part of the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) Congress.”

The Fonterra Proud to be a Chef programme is open to all trainee chefs 18 years or older who are enrolled in a government recognised culinary course as at 25th February 2013. Entrants must be a New Zealand citizen or hold an eligible work visa.

Entries for the programme open this Saturday 1 September and close on Wednesday October 31.

Trainee chefs interested in registering can apply online at www.fonterrafoodservices.co.nz or mail entry forms to Fonterra. Entry forms will be sent to all institutes and distributed by the Fonterra Foodservice team.

For full terms and conditions or to find out more information about the Fonterra Proud to be a Chef programme, visit www.fonterrafoodservices.co.nz

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For further information or imagery, please contact:
Anna-Louise Hoffmann, Mango Communications, 09 354 1371 or annah@thisismango.co.nz