The 2016 Ora King Awards were held on 11 October in Nelson, New Zealand, and saw two Australian chefs taking home awards for the Ora King Best Dish Australia and Best Ora King Ambassador International.
This year marks the fourth anniversary of the awards, which recognise contributions from chefs working with Ora King, New Zealand King Salmon’s foodservice brand.
Brisbane chef Mark Bashinksky of Aria claimed the inaugural Ora King Best Dish Australia 2016 with his combination of beetroot cured smoked Ora King Salmon, beetroot, cauliflower, caviar and horseradish, while Elijah Holland, winner of last year’s Ora King Best Dish International, emerged as the 2016 Best Ora King Ambassador International.
The other winners, revealed at an awards ceremony and lunch at The Nelson Club in Nelson, New Zealand, are:
- Best Ora King Ambassador New Zealand: Chetan Pangam, One80° Restaurant, Wellington
- Best Ora King Dish New Zealand: Mark Soper, Wharekauhau Country Estate , Featherston
- Best Ora King Dish USA: Nathan Gould, O Ya, Boston
New Zealand King Salmon general manager marketing Jemma McCowan said this year saw stronger competition than ever with entry numbers double those of 2015, as well as an increase in the number of young chefs competing.
"We've seen some remarkable creativity and flair with all the entries. Australian cuisine has truly become sophistication on a plate with a distinctly modern Australian look incorporating the diverse multicultural scene. Mark's dish truly had the X-factor combining classic flavours with a modern take, with outstanding technique and presentation,” she said.
Chefs from Australia, the US and all over New Zealand attended the awards lunch, and were catered for by three of last year’s winners: Elijah Holland, Thomas Barta from Harbourside Ocean Bar Grill, and Nick Honeyman from Paris Butter.