Award win at Young Chef Championship

Congratulations to our talented chef Clover Lippe, who won the inaugural Waitaha Canterbury Young Chef Championship 2025 held at Ara Institute of Canterbury commercial training kitchens on Monday 16 June.

Clover's award winning two-course menu included Lumina lamb loin, fondant potato, celeriac puree and charred brussels sprouts with pickled carrot followed by a Barker's blackcurrant semifreddo with white chocolate vanilla cremeaux, vanilla sable and crumb and blackcurrant coulis.

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre Executive Chef, Des Davies, who attended the prizegiving, said Clover's hard work has paid off.

“We’re thrilled for Clover but also so pleased to see a competition like this available for young chefs,” he said. “It offers a different kind of challenge from service and is an excellent way to extend their skills. A competition like this has been missing and we’re glad to see it.”

Head judge, Alliance Meat brand ambassador Darren Wright, said the competition tested not only the flavour and presentation of each dish, but also the chefs’ kitchen practices and professionalism.

Well done Clover and to everyone else who took part in this fantastic competition for young chefs.