Justin Birmingham is an internationally recognised, qualified, award winning professional chef, with more than twenty years of postgraduate experience. Since training, and gaining his qualifications in NZ, Justin has pursued his culinary dreams; accessing a wide variety of cultures and experiences, including cheffing at a prestigious Michelin two starred restaurant in the UK.
Keen to explore new avenues, he returned to NZ, to establish himself as one of the ‘young talents’ to watch and follow. In 2011, he relocated to Shanghai. This has been the platform for Justin to bring over 15 successful concepts to fruition, in addition to consulting on various restaurant concepts, events, and pop-ups throughout the city.
Personal Awards:
The Chef of The Year Finalist, That’s Shanghai, 2019.
Overall winner of the televised Chinese Charity Show; Professional Chef Cook-Off.
Multiple awards across various restaurants and brewery concepts from 2005-present.
New Zealand Culinary Arts Festival 2001, Auckland: Global Gourmet ‘Live Open Main Course’ Bronze Medal; (no gold medals awarded that year).
New Zealand Culinary Arts Festival 2001, Auckland: ‘Live Open Dessert’ – Bronze Medal; (no gold medals awarded that year).
Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Certificate in Professional Cookery, paper 2001; awarded with Merit.
National Certificate for Food and Nutrition; paper 2001.
City & Guilds (London) 2001; two Diplomas in Culinary Arts and Food Preparation; awarded with Credit.
Tegel Certificate of Achievement for Cookery.
Asia 2000: National Semi-Finalist for Cookery.
Member of New Zealand Chef’s Association Incorporated; Global Membership; (membership is by invitation only).
BBC Television (UK): Junior MasterChef Regional Champion and National Finalist for UK; International Televised Cooking Competition.
Restaurant Awards:
Sausage, First prize, Bubba’s Annual Cook Off, 2019.
Chicken, Third place, Bubba’s Annual Cook Off, 2019.
Pork Ribs, Third place, Bubba’s Annual Cook Off, 2019.
Pulled Pork, Third place, Bubba’s Annual Cook Off, 2019.
Best Signature Pizza, Sherpa’s, 2019.
Best New Restaurant, XTD Group, 2018.
Best Café, City Weekend, 2015.
Editor’s Choice Best Burger, City Weekend, 2015.
Best Indian Restaurant, City Weekend, 2013.
Shanghai’s 101 Must Try Dishes-Lamb Korma, Time Out Magazine, 2013.
Best Indian Restaurant, That’s Shanghai, 2013.
Winner of Best Restaurant for Restaurant Week, Dining City, 2014.
Top Ten of all Restaurants in Shanghai, City Weekend, 2014.
Best Indian Restaurant, City Weekend, 2014.
Restaurant Week Winner Category B. Dining city, 2014.
Restaurant Week Winner Category B. Dining city, 2015.
Best New Bar, That’s Shanghai, 2012.
Nominated: Best Burgers in Shanghai by City Weekend, 2012.
Best Brewery, City Weekend, 2013.
Nominated: Best Burgers in Shanghai by City Weekend, 2013.
Best Brewery, City Weekend, 2014.
Best Bar, City Weekend, 2014.
Best Brewery, City Weekend, 2015.