High stakes as NZ chefs cut it with the best at world champs in US

By Luka Forman

From left: Chris McLaren, Charlotte Hughes and Troy Bilbrough at the steak cooking world championships in Texas.
Photo: Supplied / Troy Bilbrough

Two Kiwi grillmasters, Troy Bilbrough and Josh Fasher, made the final round of the steak cooking world championships in Texas.

Cooks were judged on the presentation, taste and texture of their steaks with the winner claiming $US10,000 ($NZ16,240) for first place in the competition.

Fasher who has a barbecue rub company said he was stoked to showcase his ingredients on the world stage.

“The fact that I can make some stuff in New Zealand that is so different from everything else over here and make the final 90 or 100, it’s unbelievable to me.”

Fasher said the atmosphere of the competition was great, and everyone in Texas was incredibly friendly.

Competitors line up to choose their steaks.
Photo: Supplied / Troy Bilbrough

He said he had learned a lot about cooking over the last few days.

“It’s completely turned around my steak cooking game.”

He said he was very proud of all 12 of the New Zealanders who went to Texas for the competition.

Another competitor, Charlotte Hughes, placed 12th in the world for the ancillary category, where cooks get creative with their side dishes.

Her creation consisted of a taco with a fried chicken taco shell, chorizo, pickled red cabbage, pineapple salsa, sour cream, crushed pork rinds, queso and grilled corn.

Charlotte Hughes’ side dish.
Photo: Supplied / Charlotte Hughes

Despite placing highly, Hughes said her initial reaction was she wished she had cracked the top 10.

“I’m a pretty competitive type person… so it was just like disappointment to start with, but it’s had a bit longer to settle in, it’s pretty overwhelming actually.”

Hughes has a background in food science, which she said helped her come up with food combinations that others might not think of.

She said the competition was a great opportunity to meet people from across the world who shared a passion for food.

Bilbrough, who owns several restaurants in Christchurch, said the competition was a great experience.

“Competing against the best in the world and getting to the final was a pretty amazing moment.”

He said the high stakes of steak cooking can make things nerve-racking.

“It’s a lot of pressure when you’re cooking a $US10,000 [for first prize] steak.”

Bilbrough and Fasher placed 63rd and 76th respectively in the steak category out of about 500 competitors.