Hawke s Bay chef Sam Heaven thrilled to win young ambassador title
9 Apr, 2021 06:00 PM
4 minutes to read
Sam Heaven is the first winner of the Beef + Lamb Young Ambassador Chef title.
Linda Hall is assistant editor for Hawke s Bay Todaylinda.hall@nzme.co.nzHawkesBayToday
Sam Heaven is thrilled to have won the title of Beef + Lamb Young Ambassador Chef after a cook-off against two other finalists.
Sam grew up in Hawke s Bay where his family owned Heaven s Bakery, which was started by his grandfather and then his father, also being a baker, took over. That s where my food journey started, Sam said.
Nikam, who is in his mid-30s, laughs at the idea now. While in limbo, he got a call about Paddock to Plate, a new restaurant venture in Hamilton s main street. Would he be interested? ”As a Beef + Lamb ambassador, opening a steak house is the best thing you can choose,” he said. Owners Leonard Gardner, of Foster Construction, and Lalit Kumar, of Iguana Street Bar & Restaurant, knew just what they wanted. As well as being a steak house – “Kiwis love steak” – Paddock to Plate has strong support from local kaupapa.
MARK TAYLOR/Stuff
Paddock to Plate Waikato is in the former site of Bluestone Steakhouse, in Hamilton s main street.
Brook Sabin
Tucked away in Hamilton is a fantasyland that attracts more than one million people a year. And it s completely free (video published December 2020).
New places to eat and drink, a heritage hotel makeover and interesting ways to discover the city s sports history, arts, culture and natural surroundings all feature as reasons to rediscover Kirikiriroa/Hamilton.
Eat
The Bearded Weasel Joining the menu of great eateries in Riverbank Lane – also see Mr Pickles, Duck Island Ice Cream and Banh Mi Caphe – is this compact space serving up “fricken good chicken”. Partner fried chicken with a range of sauces – the chilli garlic caramel one is a definite winner – and choose from a concise menu of beers, wine and sodas. Cauliflower with a tamarind, sesame and coriander salsa is a tasty side dish and daily specials could include lamb burgers, or the fusion mash-up of cheeseburger spring rolls.