Nici Wickes, a food writer and restaurant critic, describes herself as ''more of a Jamie Oliver than a Gordon Ramsay'' and delights in discovering new recipes and foods in her travels.
Her new cookbook, Cook, Eat, Enjoy, will be launched on April 1 and a New Zealand tour will follow, with stops planned in Dunedin, Cromwell and Ranfurly.
Ms Wickes said she was excited about the final.
''I'm looking forward to seeing what will be whipped up for the final, as Central Otago has some of our finest producers and I know there is a twist in the box.
''I understand the local talent has been exceptional this year and I can't wait to see them in action.''
The competition was introduced to celebrate local and regional produce and unearth the hidden talents of Queenstown's home cooks. Each month, two heats of two contestants - untrained home cooks - have been mentored by a local chef to create a mouthwatering dish.
The competition has been judged by some of Queenstown's best chefs, including Rata's Josh Emett, True South Dining Room and Bordeaux Wine Lounge's Ben Batterbury and Saffron's Logan Murray. Mr Batterbury will judge the final, with private chef Jenny Stewart as the mentor.
Finalists Lucy Thompson and Jayne McCanny, who both received 95 points or above in their heat, will be given a mystery box of food and have two hours to present their meals.
Market events
The Remarkables Market will host its inaugural dog show tomorrow, with registrations opening at 9.30am.
There will be five categories: best dressed, best bark, best groomed, best dog trick and best discipline.
Entry is by donation and a can of cat food for Queenstown Cat Rescue.
The market will celebrate the end of the 2012-13 season with its annual Easter bunny hunt on March 30, from 8.30am.
Children are encouraged to find the hidden bunnies and exchange them at the market information stall for chocolate eggs.
