Young Chefs Return From Guam Contest

Two young chefs from the Cook Islands Chefs Association attended the Global Chefs Challenge last week in Guam.

This was held from October 12-13, with locals Dayna Tuiravakai from Le Bon Vivant and Teraitua Cuthers-Boxhorn from Kai Pasifika (Auckland New Zealand), competing in the event.

The Global Chefs Challenge is where the worlds best chefs meet to compete.

The competition is held in three categories: Global Chefs, Pastry Chefs and Global Young Chefs Challenge (for chefs aged 25 and under).

Tuiravakai and Cuthers-Boxhorn competed in the Pacific Rim region which includes Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Guam, New Zealand, Samoa and Vanuatu.

Tuiravakai competed in the Hans Bueschkens Young Chef section, while Cuthers-Boxhorn competed in Global Chef (under 27).

Cuthers-Boxhorn received a bronze medal and was placed third.

The gold medal was won by Australia, with New Zealand taking the silver medal.

Tuiravakai placed fourth in her competition and while not winning a medal, she was pleased to have been given the opportunity to compete.

“We’re all winners at heart. This is a big learning curve for us all, to become better chefs, better people and to make connections within the world,” Tuiravakai said.

Cuthers-Boxhorn moved from Rarotonga to New Zealand in 2016 to work under William Mordido at Chico’s restaurant in Auckland.

He has gained valuable culinary skills and is now working at Robert Oliver’s Kai Pasifika.

Oliver is a renowned Pacific Rim chef who hosted the TV show Real Pasifik and published several award-winning books.

Tuiravakai is currently working at Le Bon Vivant, under chef Tim Tierney.

Tierney is corporate group chef for Pacific Resort Group, responsible for the menu designs across the company.

Cook Island Chefs thank the Westin Resort Guam, and executive chef Daniel Lenherr for allowing Tuiravakai and Cuthers-Boxhorn to train in one of their concept kitchens before competition day.

(Source: Cook Islands News 19 October 2017)

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