Cook Off Ambassador
Mike Van de Elzen
A Cook Off favourite, Mike is returning this year in his role as Cook Off Ambassador.
Mike is one of New Zealand’s most recognised chefs, having built an impressive career in leading restaurants across London, Ireland and Aotearoa New Zealand, including Bluebird, Bank and Molten. He has also been at the forefront of New Zealand’s food truck movement, helping reshape casual dining through ventures like The Food Truck and Boy & Bird.
For the past ten years, Mike and his wife Bee have been growing and rearing their own produce on their Muriwai farm, which became the home of their cooking school, ‘Good from Scratch’ - a paddock-to-plate experience focused on seasonal food, sustainability and reconnecting people with where their food comes from.
Mike is also a familiar face on television, inspiring Kiwis to cook well at home through shows including Eat Well for Less.
Wallace Mua
Chef Wallace brings more than 20 years of culinary experience to The Cook Off, with a cooking style inspired by his Samoan heritage and a passion for bringing people together through food.
Starting his career as a dishwasher at just 15, Wallace worked his way through top kitchens in New Zealand before spending six years refining his craft in France.
He has worked at some of Auckland’s most respected restaurants and was the only New Zealand chef selected to tour with the All Blacks during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, helping fuel the team on the world stage.
Wallace is now Executive Chef at JW Marriott Auckland, including its Trivet restaurant, where he brings his international experience and love of local produce to every dish he creates.
Patrick Ikinofo
Patrick Ikinofo is one of New Zealand’s leading culinary talents, with a career spanning some of Auckland’s top kitchens and internationally renowned hotels and restaurants in London, Australia and Dubai.
Starting his career as a kitchen hand in West Auckland, Patrick worked his way up through determination and hard work to become a respected leader in the hospitality industry.
Patrick now leads the culinary direction at SkyCity Auckland, overseeing a portfolio of award-winning restaurants including Cassia, Depot, MASU and Metita. He is also deeply committed to mentoring emerging talent and supporting community initiatives.
Grounded in his Pasifika heritage, Patrick brings heart, leadership and a passion for hospitality to everything he does
Peter Gordon
Peter is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated chefs and is widely recognised as a pioneer of fusion cuisine. His career has taken him around the world, with acclaimed restaurants in London and a reputation for combining flavours and techniques from across cultures.
Known for his innovative approach to food and his passion for seasonal produce, Peter has spent decades shaping the culinary landscape both here and abroad.
Peter returned to Aotearoa where he founded Homeland, a cooking school and community space celebrating local producers, seasonal food and shared knowledge.
He is currently actively involved in promoting New Zealand / Pacific food producers, recently attending a cacao expo in Papaua New Guinea.
Peter brings creativity, generosity and a global perspective to every table he’s part of.
See more about Peter here
Des Harris
Des is widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s most prominent and personable chefs who has a stellar 34 year career in the hospitality industry.
He began his career in Wellington at Logan Brown Restaurant under Al Brown, then went on to lead kitchens in some of the top restaurants including the Martinborough Hotel, Clooney Restaurant and Tantalus Estate. His events catering business specialised n personal dining experiences, bringing great food to clients' homes for a more relaxed and intimate setting.
Des is currently Executive Chef at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), where he leads large-scale culinary operations with the same focus on quality and precision that has defined his career.
See more about Des here.
