Celebrating a Long-Standing Partnership with NZ Chefs

For more than 20 years, Southern Hospitality has proudly partnered with NZ Chefs, supporting the NZ Chefs Championships through equipment loans, sponsorship, and industry collaboration. 

As one of New Zealand's leading culinary competitions, the NZ Chefs Championships provide a platform for talented chefs, pastry chefs, trainees, and emerging professionals to showcase their skills, gain industry recognition, and advance their careers. The championships bring together hospitality professionals from across the country to celebrate excellence, creativity, and craftsmanship in the culinary arts.

Southern Hospitality's involvement dates back to the competitions held in the purpose-built kitchens at Auckland's Logan Campbell Centre. Over the years, the championships have also been hosted at venues throughout Auckland before evolving into their current format. 

Throughout this time, Southern Hospitality has supplied loan equipment, including stainless steel workbenches and double glass door chillers, helping to create professional competition environments for competitors, judges, and event organisers. 

Supporting the next generation of hospitality professionals is an important part of Southern Hospitality's commitment to the industry. Alongside equipment support, Southern Hospitality contributes prize vouchers awarded to outstanding competitors across several championship categories. 

These prizes are highly valued by recipients, providing access to quality hospitality equipment and supplies that support their ongoing professional development and career growth. 

At the 2026 NZ Chefs Championships, held at MIT in Auckland from 3-5 October, Southern Hospitality proudly provided prize vouchers recognising excellence across key competition categories, including: 

The relationship between Southern Hospitality and NZ Chefs is built on a shared commitment to developing talent, promoting professional standards, and strengthening New Zealand's hospitality sector. 

Through the NZ Chefs Championships, competitors have the opportunity to test their skills in a professional environment, learn from industry leaders, and gain recognition among their peers. Southern Hospitality is proud to play a supporting role in helping these valuable opportunities continue. 

The partnership also provides opportunities to connect with hospitality professionals through event participation, industry communications, winner presentations, and championship photography, helping strengthen relationships across the sector and support the growth of New Zealand's hospitality community. 

As New Zealand's hospitality industry continues to evolve, Southern Hospitality remains committed to supporting the people behind it. Our long-standing partnership with NZ Chefs reflects our belief in nurturing talent, celebrating achievement, and investing in the future of the industry. 

We are proud to support the NZ Chefs Championships and would like to congratulate the winners: 

• Chef of Year – Russell Le Comte – Skycity
• Pastry Chef of Year – Russell Le Comte
• Emerging Chef of Year – Valerri Stupnitskyi from Christchurch
• Emerging Pastry Chef of Year - Elise Butler 
• Trainee of the Year – Olivia Wormald