Top Chef in Washington

This year’s Embassy Chef Challenge held in Washington D.C. went to the Embassy of New Zealand’s chef Nathan Bates, who won all of three award categories in this two-part contest, making the trifecta win the first time in the challenge’s five-year history. New Zealand also clenched another historical title: the first non-European country to win the contest. Bates created roasted lamb cutlet with kiwifruit, herb and manuka honey relish.  New Zealand ambassador to the United States, former prime minister Mike Moore, said: “Now everyone knows what we’ve known all along about his talents as a chef. What a legend!” Bates ran acclaimed Christchurch restaurants Pescatore and 50 on Park.