NZ challenge for international chefs

Tim Aspinal with the warrior made of 150kg of margarine. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

When 500 international chefs rolled through the doors of Sky City for the start of a world chefs' conference, they were greeted by a carved Maori warrior with a culinary touch - he was made of margarine.

The chefs are in town until March 16 for the World Association of Cooks' Societies congress.

The warrior, issuing the traditional wero, or challenge, was sculpted out of 150kg of margarine over three days by Tim Aspinal, a tutor at the Auckland Hotel and Chef School.

Mr Aspinal said it was intended to challenge the chefs, especially the junior chefs, to believe in the future. He has started sculpting in bronze, but returned to margarine because of the culinary nature of the congress.

"Butter's better, but margarine lasts longer," he said.

"And it doesn't melt in your hand."

This is the first time the congress has been held in New Zealand.

The congress director, Murray Dick, said a bonus of hosting the event was the chance to educate the international chefs about the food and wine from New Zealand.

Kiwi chefs were taking star roles - Peter Gordon, founder of Dine, Simon Gault and Geoff Scott were all featured.

International demonstrations included Martin Yan, star of television show Yan Can Cook.