Meet The Teams

Introducing the chefs behind New Zealand’s
most exciting culinary competition.

• 

  Ankita

  Chef De Cuisine

  Ankita is a passionate, challenge‑driven chef who sees food as an act of care, shaped by her upbringing and love for creating joy through bold, inventive flavours.

  ---

  

  Tan

  Senior Chef De Party

  Tan is a deeply expressive chef inspired by his grandmother, using cooking as a way to tell stories and connect with people through thoughtful flavour and technique.

• 

  Pier

  Executive Chef

  Pier is a creative, heartfelt chef who sees cooking as an act of love and joy, transforming simple ingredients into special moments that connect people through flavour and care.

  ---

  

  Giulio

  Head & Developing Chef

  Giulio is an expressive, passionate Italian chef who uses food to tell meaningful stories that blend his heritage with New Zealand ingredients, creating heartfelt dishes grounded in tradition & innovation.

• 

  Josh

  Executive Chef

  Josh is a driven, expressive chef who thrives under pressure, using food as his lifelong creative outlet and aiming to showcase his craft and growth beyond Ahi on a bigger stage.

  ---

  

  Bailey

  Junior Sous Chef

  Bailey is an ambitious young chef hungry to learn, eager to push himself creatively, and determined to use Taste of Art as a pivotal step toward his future and eventually own a restaurant.

• 

  Tommy

  Head Chef

  Tommy is a driven, highly creative chef ready to step out of the shadows, pushing himself to new limits as he uses cooking as his lifelong outlet for exploration, joy and perfection.

  ---

  

  Dani

  Sous Chef

  Dani is a passionate chef inspired by his grandmother, using food as a language to connect with people while constantly chasing new flavours, techniques, and the pursuit of beautifully refined dishes.

• 

  Yashan

  Head Chef

  Yashan is a passionate, art‑driven chef who sees food as her daily creative expression and is determined to use Taste of Art to prove herself. Especially to her culinary hero, Vaughan.

  ---

  

  Roy

  Sous Chef

  Roy is a thoughtful, sensory‑focused chef who treats cooking as an emotional art form, honouring each ingredient and striving to create dishes that connect and bring happiness to others.