October 09th, 2018

It’s an ORA (aura) kind of thing
Being given the head judge title this year for the Ora King awards for New Zealand was very much an honour and a great privilege.  I was tasked with tasting and deciding out of the top three Ora King salmon creations selected from up and down the country - which one tasted the best, looked the best, technically was the best and had the best, most thoughtful and clever interpretation of this year’s theme “inspired by art”.  Even if you are not a chef, the massive amount of pleasure that one gets from experiencing, seeing, tasting and enjoying someone’s ‘edible creation’ is perhaps one of the great pleasures in life.  Having an art theme just makes it hat even more fascinating.  This year’s three finalists were all superb and extremely memorable.  The winning dish by mark McAlister was simply a knockout.
Read more here.