Team Umaga proves NZ is a cut above

Tana Umaga and Olivier Magne traded national jerseys for chef's aprons in last night's cook-off. Photo / Steven McNicholl

The knives were out just days ahead of the eagerly awaited rematch of the 2007 quarter-final against France as the two nations clashed once more, this time in a heated cook-off last night.

Queens Wharf and the Cloud played host to Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Challenge: France vs New Zealand. And, in news the whole country is waiting to hear, New Zealand took the closely contested match.

Former All Black Tana Umaga and former French rugby international Olivier Magne traded national jerseys for chef's aprons as the battle shifted from the stadium to the kitchen.

Both internationals were accompanied by professional chefs. New Zealand had the services of Al Brown, chef of Cuisine magazine's Supreme Winner Restaurant of the Year 2009.

France selected Philippe Clergue - the chef de cuisine of Le Cordon Bleu Paris, one of the most respected culinary institutes in the world.

Each team was required to prepare a three-course meal in 90 minutes to be judged by an elite panel of three New Zealanders.

After the judges' deliberation, the Kiwi team of Chef Brown and Chef Umaga claimed the victory, gaining partial revenge for "that" game four years ago.

Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand Institute director Cath Hopkin, who was one of the three judges, said the battle was well contested.

"It was extremely close. All dishes were only one or two points apart. Purity of flavours, textures on the plate and creativity was outstanding and a brilliant way to showcase New Zealand ingredients."

Umaga's win involved seared scallops and scampi with celeriac and crisp prosciutto, lamb three ways with kumara fondant and a pea crush and cherry relish for the main, and an orange creme caramel with Cointreau raisins dessert.

He told the Herald before starting to cook that New Zealand probably went into the cook-off as underdogs.

"They've [the French] got history behind them as cooks."

Umaga predicted that the upset from 2007 could go the other way this time.

"Today I think we can do a bit of a French on them and come back and take it from under their feet."