London chef named New Zealander of the Year in Britain

FOOD GURU: London restaurant owner and chef Anna Hansen is the 2010 New Zealander of the Year in Britain.

Former Nelson woman Anna Hansen has been named the 2010 New Zealander of the Year in Britain.

Ms Hansen, 40, who founded her Modern Pantry restaurant in London in 2008, said in a statement she was "thrilled and honoured" to win the award, given each year to an individual who promotes a positive image of New Zealand in Britain.

Other finalists were cheese champion Juliet Harbutt, and opera singer Geoff Sewell.

Ms Hansen started in the restaurant trade as a dishwasher. After working under another noted NZ chef, Peter Gordon at the Sugar Club, the pair opened The Providores in 2001, and Hansen moved on in 2005 to explore her own philosophy with a "fusion" food style.

Her Modern Pantry restaurant in the London suburb of Clerkenwell has since become a well-known destination on the London restaurant scene.

Her cuisine includes a signature dish of sugar-cured shrimp omelette with chili, scallions and cilantro, which won her a place in a book, Coco, published by London-based Phaidon Press, listing "the 100 best chefs of tomorrow".

Past winners have included Commonwealth secretary general Sir Don McKinnon, rowing coach Harry Mahon, chef Peter Gordon, equestrian Mark Todd and golfer Michael Campbell.

- NZPA