The 2021 Kitchen Competition was an online competition this year due to COVID. The competition started in September with a mystery ingredient announced that participants must use in their recipes. This rounds mystery ingredient was sponsored by Hellman’s and all entries had to have Hellman’s Vegan Mayonnaise as an ingredient.

There were four categories to enter – Savoury Cabinet, Local Favourites Menu item, Keto & Baking. We had lots of delicious entries from our talented Chefs throughout the Nation.

Savoury Cabinet Entries:

• Mexican Tortilla Stack – Logan Kennedy, Columbus Coffee Plaza Palmerston North

• Spinach & Chickpea Wrap – Peter Pung, Columbus Coffee Plaza Palmerston North

• English Muffin Salmon & Avocado – Ava Xiong, Columbus Coffee Cambridge

• Vegan Curry Quesadilla – The team at Columbus Coffee Mitre 10 MEGA Pukekohe

• Chipotle Chicken Roulade – Rochelle Lewis, Columbus Coffee Mitre 10 MEGA Napier

• Eggplant Lasagna – Noris Vargas, Columbus Coffee Auckland Hospital

Local Favourites Menu Entries:

• Spinach & Chickpea Wrap – Peter Pung, Columbus Coffee Plaza Palmerston North

• Keto Chicken Waffle – Ava Xiong, Columbus Coffee Cambridge

• Pumpkin & Corn Salad – Akash Sharma, Columbus Coffee Auckland Hospital

• Slow Braised Beef Short Rib, Cornbread & Potato Whip – Foti Vaafusu, Columbus Coffee Henderson

• Mexican Pulled Mushroom Benedict – Rochelle Lewis, Columbus Coffee at Mitre 10 MEGA Napier

• Vegan Colour Bowl – Melissa Tuuta, Columbus Coffee at Mitre 10 MEGA New Plymouth

• Jalapeno Waffles with Roasted Capsicum Coulis – Sara Gillette, Columbus Coffee at Mitre 10 MEGA Hornby

• Vegan Mayo Falafel – the team at Columbus Coffee Mitre 10 MEGA Pukekohe

Keto Friendly Entries:

• Vegan Mexican Stack – Noris Vargas, Columbus Coffee Auckland Hospital

• Vegan Avocado Cheesecake - Noris Vargas, Columbus Coffee Auckland Hospital

• Vegan Chocolate Peppermint & Avocado Slice – Logan Kennedy, Columbus Coffee Plaza Palmerston North

• Keto Smoked Chicken or Tofu Ranch Salad – Peter Pung, Columbus Coffee Plaza Palmerston North

• Keto Chicken Waffle – Ava Xiong, Columbus Coffee Cambridge

Baking Entries:

• Vegan Banana Chocolate Mayo Cake – Ava Xiong, Columbus Coffee Cambridge

• Baked Lemon Cheesecake – Foti Vaafusu, Columbus Coffee Henderson

• Chocolate Zucchini Cake – Sara Gillette, Columbus Coffee Mitre 10 MEGA Hornby

• Vegan Blueberry, Banana, Coconut & Almond Muffins – Peter Pung, Columbus Coffee Plaza Palmerston North

• Black Forest Cheesecake – Rochelle Lewis, Columbus Coffee Mitre 10 MEGA Napier

• Lemon Yoghurt Thyme Cake – the team at Columbus Coffee Mitre 10 MEGA Pukekohe

As you can see, there were some delicious and creative entries come through, and the winners for this year are:

Savoury Cabinet Category:

• Winner – Logan Kennedy, Columbus Coffee Plaza Palmerston North

• 1st Runner Up – Noris Vargas, Columbus Coffee Auckland Hospital

• 2nd Runner Up – Ava Xiong, Columbus Coffee Cambridge

Local Favourites Category:

• Winner – Ava Xiong, Columbus Coffee Cambridge

• 1st Runner Up – Foti Vaafusu, Columbus Coffee Henderson

• 2nd Runner Up – The team at Columbus Coffee Mitre 10 MEGA Pukekohe

Keto Friendly Category:

• Winner: Logan Kennedy, Columbus Coffee Plaza Palmerston North

Baking Category:

• Winner – Rochelle Lewis, Columbus Coffee Mitre 10 MEGA Napier