Tauranga chef wins vegetarian competition

Simon Green, Trinity Wharf executive chef, has won the 2015 New Zealand Vegetarian Dish Challenge. Photo/George Novak

Tauranga chef Simon Green has sliced, diced and sauteed his way to the top of New Zealand's premier vegetable competition.

Mr Green works as executive chef at Trinity Wharf and has now won the dinner category of the New Zealand Vegetarian Dish Challenge 2015, with his dish of confit baby potato, cauliflower mousse with autumn baby vegetables.

The competition attracted more than 200 entries.

While the dish looks simple on the plate it has a lot of components so it takes time to prepare but it is great to have an award winning dish on the menu that really showcases the potential of vegetables.

Simon Green

Mr Green said: "There are a number of competitions that focus on meat and fish so it is wonderful to have the opportunity to get creative with vegetables. After having entered for the last three years I am thrilled to finally win.

"While the dish looks simple on the plate it has a lot of components so it takes time to prepare but it is great to have an award winning dish on the menu that really showcases the potential of vegetables," Mr Green said.

"This competition is not only a great personal achievement but it serves as a benchmark for me and my team and helps younger cooks to realise what they can achieve outside of the constraints a working kitchen can have."

Mr Green has been cooking for 29 years. His interest in food began at an early age with a mother who was a chef and grandparents who owned a restaurant.

"I used to spend a lot of time in my grandparents' restaurant kitchen and enjoyed watching everyone so I suppose it was only natural that I would one day decide to follow in my mother's footsteps."

Judge Geoff Scott who is chef and owner of one of New Zealand's leading restaurants, Vinnies, based in Auckland.

"It is wonderful to see the potato as the hero of this dish with a humble delicate cauliflower mousse alongside. Very well constructed and balanced with textural crunch, spice and depth of flavour. A superb dish made with simple everyday vegetables,'' Mr Scott said.

The challenge is for chefs to have not just their vegetarian dishes perfectly considered but all their accompanying vegetables as 'heroes' on the plate.

Judge Geoff Scott

Mr Scott said this year's innovative entries really showcased the true potential of vegetables.

"It is great to see the variety of vegetables used to make up the dishes, all with careful consideration for textural contrast, nutritional value and balance. New and exciting styles of presentation are apparent with some previously overlooked vegetables getting their chance to shine.

"Diners are looking for at least one high quality vegetarian offering as a starter and main course and gluten free, diary free and vegan dishes are considered a must in any professional kitchen.

''The challenge is for chefs to have not just their vegetarian dishes perfectly considered but all their accompanying vegetables as 'heroes' on the plate. We are fortunate to have a fabulous choice of vegetables available so let's make the most of it."

The three winners each receive a New Zealand Vegetarian Dish winner plate, a Samsung 1100w-semi commercial programmable microwave and an Air New Zealand mystery weekend voucher worth $1200.

The three winners of the New Zealand Vegetarian Dish Challenge 2015 are:

BREAKFAST
MacLean Fraser: Artisan Restaurant, The Bolton Hotel, Wellington
Kumara, roast corn and chick pea salad with whipped chèvre, smoky eggplant and Ras el Hanout Caramel

LUNCH
Marc Soper, Wharekauhau Country Estate, Palliser Bay, Featherston
Salt baked celery root, braised endive, potato fennel mousse, textures of winter vegetables, vadouvan spiced granola

DINNER
Simon Green, Trinity Wharf, Tauranga
Confit baby potato, cauliflower mousse with autumn baby vegetables