The team won the silver medal in the hot kitchen section with their New Zealand-focused menu of salmon entree, lamb loin main course and South Pacific-inspired dessert.
It comes on top of winning two bronze medals in the cold culinary arts section two days earlier. Pastry chef Ganesh Khedekar created a chocolate centrepiece featuring Lord of the Rings character Gollum, which was a huge drawcard for the crowds.The competition involved more than 2000 chefs from 40 countries.
NZChefs president and chef de mission to the team Graham Hawkes, of Invercargill, said the team was thrilled with the result.
"The chefs have put everything into this competition. The food they served up to a sold-out service really wowed the guests and the judges, and gave them a real taste of New Zealand.
"And in 2020, we hope to be back for gold."
Fonterra sponsored the team and its Global Foodservice director Grant Watson, who is with the team in Germany, congratulated the team and said that the silver medal was thoroughly deserved.
"It’s been 28 years since a New Zealand team last competed in the Culinary Olympics here in Germany. What they’ve accomplished is nothing short of amazing. Their hot dishes were exquisite and loved by the 110 guests and judges who were at the dinner."
The overall winner for 2016 was Singapore.
