Kiwi chef named one of world's top culinary talents

Anna Hansen. Photo / Supplied

London-based New Zealand chef Anna Hansen's "fusion" style has led to her being rated among "the most significant and exciting culinary talent" working today.

Hansen, 39, has been included in a new book, Coco, which publisher Phaidon Press says features 100 of the world's best chefs.

She owns The Modern Pantry, which opened in the London suburb of Clerkenwell 14 months ago and is noted for adopting the Asian approach of using combinations of sweet, sour, salt and spice in most dishes.

English chef Fergus Henderson, one the "chef curators" who picked Coco's 100, chose Hansen among his selection of 10 names.

Henderson said deciding on his list was a big challenge, "but Anna stood out".

"She's in there because her food is absolutely super," he said.

"Fusion cuisine can be very hard to get right. But Anna's food has a real process behind it and a grounding that makes it successful."

Hansen worked as a kitchen porter in Henderson's French House Dining Room when she first moved to London at 22.

"She washed pots when she came to work for me and she worked her way up to be the head chef running the kitchen in the French House Dining Room, which is remarkable," he said.

"It says a lot about what a wonderful spirit Anna has."

Hansen said it took courage to go out on her own and she was delighted that the effort was paying off.

- NZPA