Missed the Next Gen Cook off? Here's how to host one at home

If you’ve got a gas hob and a few competitive mates, this one's for you.  

Whether you missed the buzz of the Next Gen Cook Off or just want an excuse to liven up your weekend, here’s your handy guide to recreating the culinary chaos at home using what’s already in your fridge, freezer, or pantry. Ready, set… cook! 

What you’ll need: 

• 2–4 keen cooks (solo or in pairs) 
• A kitchen with basic gear 
• One shared protein (chicken, tofu, or eggs are all great picks) 
• A ‘pantry surprise’ box of ingredients that need using up 
• A few mates to play judge, timekeeper, and cheer squad 
• Plates or small bowls for serving 
   

Step 1: Rescue your ingredients 

This is your zero-waste warm-up. Raid your fridge, pantry or garden for anything that’s nearing its best-before date. Wilting spinach, leftover roast veggies, that last spoonful of chutney, or half a can of chickpeas. No ingredient left behind! 

Pick one shared ingredient (think: chicken, tofu, or eggs) that every team must use in their dish. Now we have a level playing field. 

Step 2: Reveal the challenge 

Once everyone’s in place, hand over the mystery ingredients. No prep allowed. No Googling either. This is a test of instinct, not internet. 

Set a time limit (45–60 minutes is perfect), and challenge your cooks to whip up a main course—or more if you’re feeling ambitious. 

Hosting in a smaller kitchen? You can still have the element of surprise. Share the mystery ingredients in advance, and get teams to start their dishes at home with those ingredients. Then bring the action together by finishing the dishes in front of the judges. It’s still a challenge, just with fewer elbows in the kitchen. 

Step 3: Let the cook off begin 

Cue the kitchen chaos. Expect bold ideas, suspicious flavour combos, and at least one minor meltdown. That’s all part of the fun. 

Judges can roam the kitchen offering running commentary (optional but recommended). Oh, and make sure someone’s taking photos or video, this is not something to be forgotten.  

Step 4: Plate up and judge

Once the timer dings, it’s hands off. Cooks present their dishes while the judges score them on: 

• Creativity 
• Taste 
• Use of rescued ingredients
• Presentation 

Want to make it official? Use a judging app or create your own score card if you’re feeling fancy. 

Step 5: Celebrate good kai

Tuck in and toast to the magic of making something out of almost nothing. Whether it’s Michelin-level or mildly inedible, you’ve just turned forgotten fridge scraps into a fun night in. 

Everyone wins when food’s saved, not binned. 

Inspired by the idea of rescued food? 

Everybody Eats isn’t just open during Wellington on a Plate. This pay-as-you-can restaurant runs year-round and turns food destined for landfills into delicious meals, no cook-off required.