Executive Chef, Mark Southon, is set to be a judge at the 20th Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards. One of the finest chefs in the country, Southon won ‘Outstanding Chef of 2013’ at the 2013 Lewisham Awards.
After training at many Michelin starred establishments in Europe, Southon embarked on his culinary tour down under and landed a prestigious position at Vue de Monde, Australia’s top restaurant. His illustrious career continued in New Zealand working in Queenstown’s, Wai Waterfront and The French Café in Auckland.
He shot to fame in New Zealand on Food TV, as the host of TV One’s, The Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge and as a guest on Masterchef NZ. Southon is currently head chef at Auckland’s award-winning restaurant, O’Connell St Bistro, and resident chef on TV3’s new entertainment and lifestyle show, The Café.
With a wealth of experience in the food sector, Southon is excited to be a part of New Zealand’s most prestigious food awards.
“I am intrigued to see what New Zealand bakers bring to the table this year. I look forward to seeing their passion and skill reflected in their pie-making as I now appreciate how much Kiwi’s love their pies,” says Southon.
Tim Aspinall, chief judge of the pie awards for the past five years is excited to be working alongside Southon. “We welcome Mark to our Bakels judging team. It is excellent for the Awards to have someone with his culinary expertise. It is an accolade for bakers to be judged by their peers,” says Aspinall.
Entries are now open and close on the 23rd of June. Judging day is July 21st where over 5,000 pie entries will be judged. Winners will be announced on July 26th.
