Collaborative cookbook with young Rotorua chef stars coming together

Local chef Deep Kumar's cookbook <i>Let's Eat</i>, co-authored by Junior Master Chef Rotorua finalists. Photo / Supplied

An exciting project for young Rotorua chefs following a challenging competition is now in its final stage.

Let's Eat is local chef and Junior Master Chef Rotorua organiser Deep Kumar's second cookbook.

He had a helping hand from local aspiring chefs, with the winners and runners-up of this year's Junior Master Chef Rotorua co-authoring the book.

The winners were team Burnt Toast - Leo Schweizer and Tom Parry, both 13.

The runners-up were The Kumara Gods, made up of Olivia Schweizer and Skye du Plessis, both 13.

The cookbook will be launched on December 8 and is available to pre-order.

He says the cookbook features the junior chefs' dishes that scored well in the competition.

"It's been great. The children have created some amazing recipes."

The other two teams from the final, The IncrEdibles and MJ's Kitchen, also have a recipe featured in the book.

"The book is part of the prize for the children. It's a great opportunity for the children they are really excited.

"After the show they had one cooking night here [Giovanni's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria] and cooked 120 meals.

"It was sold out that night and gave them great confidence to work in a real kitchen."

Deep says it is a family cookbook which has a range of cuisines, including Indian, Italian, Mexican, Spanish and contemporary.

He says Let's Eat is a fundraiser to help further Deep's cooking classes for children and next year's competition for young chefs.

"The plan is to have Junior Master Chef next year, but we want to do it on a bigger scale and be a nationwide competition for children, as well as creating our own brand."

Deep says the reason they have launched a website for pre-ordering is so they can get an idea of demand for the book.

"It's going to help a lot of kids with their cooking around New Zealand. You will be contributing to the revolution."

The pre-ordered cookbook costs $35.97, including postage in New Zealand. To pre-order the Let's Eat go to giovannis-nz.com/lets-eat/.

Deep wants to say thank you again to sponsors.