"We worked and reworked our songs. I think it was their structure and our performance that got us through."
HeadChef will get two days at Roundhead Studios in Auckland to record a single which will be accompanied by a music video, for release later this year.
The talented teenagers also plan to record an EP, featuring three to five songs, thanks to a separate $10,000 NZ On Air grant they won through The Audience website this year.
NZ On Air judge Jeff Newton said it was tight competition between the finalists at Smokefreerockquest but HeadChef gave a polished performance.
"Head Chef stood out for the quality of their songwriting, musicianship and performance," he said.
"They were brave in what they shot for, with harmonies, rap and some surprising elements and complexities that they executed to a very high standard."
The solo/duo section was won by Georgia Lines, from Tauranga's Bethlehem College, who gets a song and video package and $3000 of music gear. The singer/songwriter also earned the Smokefree Women's Musicianship award of $1000.
The winning band and solo performer will be included on the NZ on Air Kiwi Hit Disc. They will be given radio promotional support and video play on youth music channel FOUR, and a week-long tour to Fiji.
Lines said she planned to make music her life.
"I want to surround myself with people who can help me. Smokefreerockquest has developed my songwriting - we all bring something to the competition and I guess the judges saw that in me."
Singer Anika Moa, one of the judges, described Lines as "absolutely fantastic". "She was very entertaining. She dressed well, oozed confidence and is a very good songwriter."
Second placed band was Joe's Van from Mt Maunganui College, made up of Cormac Seymour (lead guitar), Rory Priest (drums) and Jake Nicholas (singer and bass).
Third placed band was Vivid, featuring Ash Parton (vocals and rhythm guitar), Ellie McBurney (lead guitar), and Kathleen Williams (drums) from Diocesan School for Girls, and Jade Paynter (bass) from Marist College.
Second place solo performance went to Cam Dawson, a profoundly blind Year 10 student at Manurewa High School.
Contest lowdown:
What is Smokefree Rockquest?
New Zealand's only national, live, original music competition. The series reaches audiences from the Far North to Invercargill. It was founded in 1989 by music teachers Glenn Common and Pete Rainey.
How does it work?
Rockquest features 40 regional competitions across New Zealand with the top regional bands progressing to the national final. Each area holds heats and a regional final and bands have seven minutes to perform for an audience and panel of judges. Bands that place first or second at a regional event can then submit a 15-minute performance video which is judged by a panel of industry professionals. From these video submissions, six bands are chosen to compete at the national final. The bands have eight minutes to perform usually two songs before the overall winner is announced.
Whose careers have been helped by Smokefreerockquest?
Kimbra, Lorde-producer Joel Little, Midnight Youth, Opshop, Annah Mac, Evermore, Ladyhawke, Kids of 88, The Datsuns, Brooke Fraser, Anika Moa, Anna Coddington, The Electric Confectionaires, Steriogram, The Naked and Famous, Phoenix Foundation, The Feelers, The Black Seeds, Nesian Mystik, Bic Runga, Elemeno P and many others.
What can entrants win?
The national winner gets the opportunity to record a single at studios in Auckland, gear from NZ Rockshops, a music video grant from NZ On Air and mentoring with a music industry professional. Second and third placegetters receive Rockshop vouchers and the chance to record a single. Other awards at regional events include the Lowdown Best Song Award, Apra Lyric Award, Smokefree People's Choice Award, Mainz Musicianship Award and Smokefree Women's Musicianship Award.
Who were the 2014 finalists?
The Bradas, Manukau's Alfriston College; Vacant City, Wairarapa College and Rathkeale College; SODA BOYZ, Palmerston North Boys' High School and Freyberg High; Joe's Van, Mt Maunganui College; HeadChef, Wellington High School; Vivid from Diocesan School for Girls and Marist College. The solo/duo finalists were: Cam Dawson, Manurewa High School; ELAE, Garin College in Nelson; Georgia Lines, Bethlehem College in Tauranga.
Other awards
• Micah Van der Touw, Kerikeri High School: MAINZ Scholarship for outstanding musicianship, $4800
• Elsie Whelan, Hutt Valley High School: Apra Lyric Award, $500 cash
• Vacant City, Wairarapa College and Rathkeale College: the Lowdown Best Song Award, having their song professionally recorded
• The Oxymorons from Gisborne Girls' High School, Courtney Hate from Green Bay High School: People's Choice Award
