Sweet success for AUT culinary arts student at Grand Final
AUT culinary arts student Chamee Ratnayake won best dessert at the recent Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award competition in Melbourne, Australia.
The 20-year-old received three gold medals in the competition, as well as being awarded the Nestlé DOCELLO Best Dessert Dish.
“Competing against 10 other young chefs from across Australasia, Chamee was required to create and produce four plates each of entrée, main and dessert — all within a three-and-a-half-hour competition,” AUT Lecturer Geoff Scott says.
“It is a fantastic result for Chamee, for AUT and for New Zealand culinary education.”
Ratnayake’s winning dessert included toasted oat semifreddo, white chocolate namelaka, poached rhubarb, raspberry and oat crisp.
Judges liked its creamy texture and the balance of sweetness, acidity and fresh fruit.
Chamee Ratnayake represented the North Island of New Zealand in the competition, after winning the regionals held at AUT in June.
This is the third year in a row that an AUT competitor has won best dessert at the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award Grand Final.