Sam Low Wins Masterchef New Zealand 2022!

Sunday 17 July, 2022 - After an intense battle in the MasterChef NZ kitchen tonight between Sam Low and Elliot McClymont, Sam was crowned MasterChef NZ after his winning three course menu of Paua congee, steamed blue cod and a sea dessert that wowed judges Nadia Lim, Vaughan Mabee and Michael P. Dearth.

Over seven weeks viewers have watched 16 of the nation's best cooks battle it out in the stunning Queenstown Vingard MasterChef NZ kitchen, with contestants being eliminated weekly. In the end it was Sam who won the judges over with his dishes that showcased his flair for creating innovative, modern Asian cuisine.

In tonight's finale, Elliot and Sam were tasked with pitching their dream restaurant to the judges and presenting three signature dishes that would star on their restaurant menu.

On taking out the title, Sam said he is feeling incredibly blessed: “As funny as it sounds, going through MasterChef NZ was my coming of age moment, feeling proud of who I am, the type of food I cooked and the people I was able to share those stories with has meant I can mark a full stop on the thoughts of “If I am enough” and move onto the next chapter in my life.”

Runner up Elliot gave Sam a good run for his money right to the end and said: “There is no competitor I would have rather gone up against. We have such different cooking styles and have learnt so much from one another on our Masterchef NZ Journey. It has been an incredible experience, Sam mate, huge congratulations!”

MasterChef NZ judge Vaughan Mabee said of Sam’s win: “From the start of the competition Sam stood out - he had something special in the way he cooked. I can see myself going to eat crispy spicy Chinese style pork belly and unusual but delicious dumplings at a cool unique restaurant venue in Auckland”.

Fellow judge Nadia Lim also praised Sam: “Sam, I love that you have incorporated your upbringing into your dishes and have brought incredible innovation to make outstanding and unique dishes. You are so deserving of being MasterChef NZ 2022, I can’t wait to see what you do next!”

While Michael P. Dearth added: “Huge congratulations Sam! You are a stand out cook and it’s clear you are going to go very far.”

Apart from the coveted title of MasterChef New Zealand 2022, Sam also wins a cookbook deal from Allen and Unwin, six months of groceries from New World, $6000 worth of NEFF appliances and a Kenwood Chef Patissier XL Stand Mixer.

Vicki Keogh, Senior Director of Production, ANZ extended her congratulations to both Sam and Elliot: “What a nail biting emotional final, with two very deserving candidates. Sam has shown New Zealand what it means to cook from the heart and we are all extremely proud of him and all the contestants on this year's show.”

Sam’s winning three course menu consisted of: Paua Congee: a savoury rice porridge w/ seared paua, paua XO sauce, century egg puree and dill. Steamed Blue Cod: served with braised daikon, sea lettuce, ginger & spring onion relish, soy milk emulsion, charred spring onion oil served with dashi oolong tea rice. Sea Dessert: served with kombu seaweed ice cream, nori meringue, matcha tea steamed cake, cocoa nibs, marinated fruit, jasmine tea and sesame leaf granita.

MasterChef NZ was produced by Screentime NZ for Warner Bros. Discovery.

© Scoop Media