Victory for New Zealand chefs

New Zealand's chefs triumphed in the Battle for the Dragon contest at the Welsh International Culinary Championships hosted by Coleg Llandrillo Cymru, Rhos-on-Sea yesterday (19 February).

After three days of cooking in hot kitchens, New Zealand emerged victorious with a gold medal, whilst the Welsh National Culinary Team settled with silvers and Croatia with bronzes.

The contest, organised by the Welsh Culinary Association, was the showpiece event at the Welsh International Culinary Championships, sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government to promote the food and drink industry brand 'True Taste'. Hybu Cig Cymru/ Meat Promotion Wales also jointly sponsor the Battle for the Dragon contest.

New Zealand's manager Gary Miller said: "Winning the competition is a great reward for 15 months of hard work, training and effort. It just goes to show that hard work does pay off."

Meanwhile Welsh team captain Wayne Roberts, head chef at Portmeirion Hotel, Portmeirion, added: "There is no disgrace in losing to a very good New Zealand team. We used the Battle for the Dragon as a practice ground for our junior team that is competing in Scotland in a fortnight.

"Hopefully it will hold them in good stead for ScotHot, as the feedback from the judges was very positive and it has given us some areas to improve."

Croatia team member Berislav Lackovic said the contest was part of the learning process for the team, which was formed only eight months ago. "It was nice to take part in this competition and it's important that we learn from our mistakes to build a team."

The three countries went to battle in a Restaurant of Nations hot kitchen competition over three days, each being allocated three hours to produce a mouthwatering three-course meal for 90 people under the supervision of a panel of international judges.

Wales opened the competition on Tuesday cooking pork as their main course followed by Croatia on Wednesday cooking Welsh Beef and New Zealand on Thursday cooking Welsh Lamb.

The other Welsh team members were Gary Griffiths from The Quay Hotel and Spa, Deganwy, Erin Deering from Coleg Llandrillo Cymru, David Kelman from Lower Slaughter Manor, Stow-on-the-Wold, Gennaro Adaggio from La Dolce Vita, Shrewsbury and Tom Middleton from Hotel Maes-y-neuadd, Talsarnau, Harlech.

 The Battle for the Dragon awards were presented by Adam McDonnell, the Welsh Assembly Government's agri food regional manager.

Words: Maria Bracken

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