Beef + Lamb New Zealand has announced their Ambassador chefs for 2022-2033, naming Southland’s own Cameron Davies among the winners of the prestigious title.

Davies owns and runs The Fat Duck Gastropub in Te Anau with his fiancé, Selina. 

He says he is immensely proud to receive the accolade and get the recognition, not just for himself, but for the whole team. 

“There’s a lot of emotions, but I’m stoked, I’m really proud and I’m excited too.” 

“I feel really privileged to be in this situation and am excited about the future and the opportunities that will unfold as an Ambassador Chef.” 

“There have been chefs I have looked up to over the years who have been Ambassadors for Beef + Lamb New Zealand and now to be on their level is very special."

Davies' winning beef dish. Photo: Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Davies, along with three other chefs to have been named Ambassadors, will act as leaders in using New Zealand beef and lamb in their restaurant’s dishes.  

“It’s great that this is going to give the restaurant a bit of a spotlight, and I’m excited to be working alongside other great chefs,” he says. 

Beef + Lamb Foodservice Manager, Lisa Moloney says the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on New Zealand’s hospitality scene has put chefs and restaurant owners under a lot of pressure.

“We wanted to reach out to the chef community and give them the opportunity to strive towards something uplifting.”

“Despite the difficulties, it is heartening to see Kiwi chefs striving for recognition and taking the next steps to elevate their career. We were impressed by the high level of innovation and enthusiasm from those who applied,” she says. 

“Not only are chefs putting together well-thought-out beef and lamb dishes with interesting flavour combinations, but the level of execution is very high. With such a high standard, it was a tough decision whittling it down to four chefs.

To be eligible to enter, chefs submitted their most creative, tasty and visually appealing dishes. 

Applicants were shortlisted by a Beef + Lamb New Zealand advisory panel, with the finalists having their beef and lamb dishes anonymously assessed in their restaurants earlier this year by culinary-trained experts.

The 2022 – 2023 Beef + Lamb Ambassador Chefs are:

• Cameron Davies, The Fat Duck, Te Anau

• BJ Sebastian, Mudbrick Vineyard, Waiheke Island

• Andrew May, Amayjen The Restaurant, Palmerston North

• MacLean Fraser, Artisan at Bolton Hotel, Wellington