Chef Eda Tunç, our Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Department graduate, clinched first place at the 5th Australasia Tapas Competition by offering a unique interpretation of baklava using ingredients from New Zealand.
At the culinary competition hosted by Ignite Colleges in Manukau, New Zealand, 29 chefs vied for the opportunity to represent Australasia at the World Tapas Competition, scheduled to take place later this year in Valladolid, Spain. Chef Eda Tunç, representing Cordis Auckland Hotel in New Zealand, participated with her creation "Baklava for Everyone," innovatively using New Zealand ingredients. She crafted an unparalleled version of baklava by incorporating New Zealand king salmon, lemon horopito syrup, kawakawa green oil, and ayran, a famous Turkish beverage. The dish, garnished with sea grapes and served in a cocktail glass, won the approval of a seven-member jury panel that included notable chefs, Simon Gault and Michael Meredith, scoring highest in all criteria including presentation, originality, flavor, and commercial potential, thus earning her the title of 2023 Australasia Tapas Champion.
"Unique Flavor that Defies Culinary Norms"
Angel Moreton, a juror for the World Tapas Competition and an organizer for E Spain, remarked, "'Baklava for Everyone' distinguished itself by ingeniously merging Turkish and New Zealand culinary traditions and displaying a unique and cohesive flavor profile that challenges culinary conventions."
Eda Tunç shared her motivation: "My aim was to celebrate the seamless blend of two distinct yet equally flavorful cuisines by uniting Turkish and New Zealand culinary traditions. Moreover, I sought to expand the horizons of traditional recipes and confront the standards regarding possible combinations. I am profoundly honored to have the chance to represent Australasia in Spain and to demonstrate how extraordinarily Turkish baklava can transform when fused with distinctive New Zealand ingredients. It's a dish that transcends cultural boundaries, appealing to a global palette, which inspired the name 'Baklava for Everyone.'
The 28-year-old Eda Tunç is set to represent Australasia at the World Tapas Championship in Valladolid, Spain, this November.
