Next Gen Cook Off is BACK! It’s the fifth year of the Next Gen Cook Off, and we’re turning up the heat at Everybody Eats! Every Monday in August, four of Wellington’s freshest young chefs will battle it out in a high-energy kitchen takeover, whipping up epic three-course dinners using rescued food.

Each chef gets the same protein, proudly sponsored by Meat Direct - Pearl Veal -beef short loins, but the rest? It’s all on the fly—ingredients revealed that morning, menus designed on the spot, and plates served up to a buzzing, hungry crowd. Think fast-paced, creative chaos, and serious skills on display. This isn’t just a dinner—it’s a front-row seat to culinary magic, all while supporting a game-changing enterprise.

Everybody Eats runs on a pay-what-you-can model, turning food waste into gourmet plates and bringing the community together over damn good kai. The Next Gen Cook Off champions this mission—proving that rescued food = next-level delicious. You won’t want to miss this!