We are thrilled to celebrate Gaspar Salgado

We are thrilled to celebrate Gaspar Salgado, a Year 11 student at Rutherford College, who has taken out first place in this year’s HETTANZ Top of the Pots Culinary Challenge! 

The annual competition draws talented young chefs from across the country, each showcasing their creativity, technical skill, and flair for presentation. This year’s event was judged by celebrated chef Lucas Parkinson, known for his award-winning restaurants Ode in Wānaka and Aryeh in Piha - recently recognised as one of New Zealand’s top dining destinations. 

Chef Parkinson praised the high standard of entries, remarking that the students’ “ingenuity and passion were incredible,” and commended their awareness of sustainability in the kitchen, encouraging them to “cook without single-use plastic” to protect our environment. 

Gaspar impressed the judge with an elegant trio of canapés that showcased both precision and bold flavours: 

Salmon and dill cream cheese on crispy wonton with toasted bread and capers 

Pan-seared duck breast on a potato pavé with orange gel and garnish 

Codfish cake on rustic toast with tartar sauce and parsley 

Chef Parkinson described Gaspar’s work as “beautiful, clean plating with tried and true technique”, and awarded him top marks for both flavour and presentation. Gaspar’s win earned him a Werkmeister chef’s knife set courtesy of Southern Hospitality, as well as a copy of Nadia Lim’s Vegeful cookbook. 

Congratulations, Gaspar! Your hard work, creativity, and professionalism in the kitchen have made the entire Rutherford community proud. We can’t wait to see what you cook up next!

by Thomas Bromfield