Cameron Davies, owner and head chef of the Fat Duck in Te Anau, has been named a finalist in the prestigious 2022 Beef + Lamb Ambassador Chefs competition.

As a first-time entrant to the competition, Davies says he is proud to have reached the finals, and of the recognition this will bring if he wins one of the five Ambassador Chef spots to be won. 

“I’m really proud, and it’s especially cool from a small town. If you look at the history of the award, the recognition often goes to the big cities like Auckland and Wellington. The recognition this could bring Southland, and definitely Te Anau, means a lot.” 

He says he would be honoured to be recognised in the same standard at one of his mentors, Darren Wright, who is a Platinum Beef + Lamb Ambassador.

Lisa Moloney of Beef + Lamb NZ says the judges were impressed by Davies dishes.

“It was wonderful to see how creative Cameron was with his dishes and how he incorporated local ingredients to help tell the paddock to plate story through his food.”

“In particular his lamb dish showcased locally grown lamb shoulder with the addition of lamb bacon made by a local artisan producer in Lumsden which was unique and different.”

“Cameron’s application showed his enthusiasm for the role as a Beef + Lamb Ambassador Chef and supporting our farmers by serving NZ beef and lamb on his menu.”

A beef dish created by Cameron Davies. Photo: Supplied

Davies applied for the award late last year, a process that includes sending through photos and recipes for a beef and a lamb dish on his restaurant’s menu. 

He is one of 15 finalists selected to proceed to the next stage of the competition, where the meals will be judged on site by Beef and Lamb representatives. 

David says the judges do not tell competitors when they will be visiting and will remain anonymous while dining.  

He is excited to showcase his restaurant’s ‘from paddock to plate’ philosophy for the judges.

“It’s what we work hard at and what we want to be recognised for. We’ve been working closely with brands and farmers for the last five years, since we bought the restaurant, so it’s quite important to us.” 

Davies and his wife Selina Wright bought the Fat Duck in Te Anau in 2016.

He is a skilled chef who has won awards overseas and worked in restaurants across London and aboard international superyachts.