Invercargill apprentice chef, Sam Kissell has been named the South Island regional winner in the prestigious Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award cook-off.
Marking its 60th anniversary, Australia’s longest-running culinary competition for young chefs and celebrating five years in New Zealand, helps shape future foodservice leaders through hands-on experience and industry recognition, opening doors to career-making opportunities.
Held at the Ara Institute of Canterbury, the regional cook-off saw 15 rising culinary stars from across the South Island battle it out for a spot in the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award Grand Final.
Assessed by a panel of experts from the NZChefs Association, Chef Sam Kissell wowed the judges with a standout two-course menu earning the highest score of the day.
Celebrating 60 years of Excellence
Sam was praised for his bold flavours, refined techniques, and meticulous attention to detail. His menu included a delicious seared beef rump, coriander and broccoli puree, honey glazed brussel sprouts, broccoli florets, MAGGI Instant Mashed Potato horopito and cumin croquette, plus a MAGGI Jus Lié Mix red wine jus, chimichurri and pickled carrot ribbon.
Dessert comprised shortbread, lemon and a Nestlé DOCELLO Snowcap White Compound Chocolate crema, poached rhubarb, Uncle Tobys Traditional Oats and ginger crumb, plus a candied lemon zest.
Sam said: “This is the second time that I’ve entered the competition and I wanted to see if I could push myself beyond what I had achieved personally and amongst my peers. My goal now is to focus on the Sydney finals and explore opportunities overseas.”
Nestlé Commercial Advisory Chef judge, Karl Seidel said: “For 60 years, the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award has been about providing a platform for emerging chefs and supporting our future hospitality leaders. Sam’s passion and potential really shone through on every plate making him a clear winner on the day.”
This year, Chef Paige Hutchinson also shone at the South Island cook-off, taking home the newly introduced regional Best Signature Dish Award. Sponsored by Robot-Coupe, it celebrates the chefs’ style, creativity, and culinary background.
“The standard of dishes created by these young chefs, demonstrating culinary creativity and technique beyond their years, is truly inspiring and shows the immense talent across the South Island,” Karl said.
South Island Culinary Flair
Sam will join 11 other talented finalists from across Australia and New Zealand to compete in the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award Grand Final held at Sydney’s Fine Food Australia this September.
Held in front of a live audience of industry professionals, the contenders will go head-to-head across two high-pressure heats to determine who will take out the title of 2025 Nestlé Golden Chef of the Year.
The national winner will receive a 14-day international culinary experience in Singapore and Thailand, valued at AUD $12,000, offering invaluable insight and exposure to global cuisine and professional kitchens.
Sam who will represent the South Island described the opportunity as a huge step forward in his culinary journey. “Reaching this stage of the competition is an amazing achievement. Being in the finals feels like a pivotal step in my career, and I’m looking forward to developing my skills further and demonstrating what I’m capable of at an advanced level,” Sam said.
The total prize pool for 2025 is bigger than ever at $38,000*, making it the most enriching culinary competition for young chefs in Australia. In addition to the Nestlé Golden Chef of the Year title, there will be a suite of award categories recognising excellence in the diverse areas of the culinary experience, including:-
- Best Signature Dish, sponsored by Robot-Coupe
- Most Creative Use of Nestlé Products, sponsored by Solidteknics
- Maggi Best Savoury and Nestlé Docello Best Dessert Dish, sponsored by Nestlé Professional
- Buondi Crafting Moments Award ie (most ‘instagrammable’ dish), sponsored by Buondi Coffee
Prize value*
- There are $38,000 AUD in prizes to be won across the regionals and grand final in 2025.
- The Golden Chef of the Year winning an all-expenses-paid trip Singapore and Thailand, including $1,000 spending money and work experience at a renowned restaurant, total valued at $12,000AUD.