Sam Gradowski Chef of the Year 2025

Congratulations to Sam Gradowski-Smith, our graduate and winner of New Zealand Chef of the Year Competition 2025.

During 2024/5, Sam was in the New Zealand Bocuse d’Or Team who went to Lyon to compete in famous competition. With no time to spare, Sam has spent the last months training each Sunday, to refine and perfect his menu to compete in the New Zealand Chefs competition.

Sam, who now works at Lilian in Greylynn, has created three outstanding dishes in order to win this illustrious title.

Gruyère flan, grapes, bread tartlet of verjus soaked raisins, nuts, quince jelly, beetroot purée, mousse of smoked havarti cheese, dehydrated marmite.

Lamb leg, pea-mint blamange, chimichurri, herb polenta, Kumara purée and chips, lamb pithivier, pomegranate jus.

Tea poached pear, tea jelly, peach & blood peach namelaka, hazelnut financier, beetroot tuile, mulled wine syrup.