From farm gate to plate: Explore the world of our chef community
Our foodservice business, anchored by the globally respected Anchor Food Professionals (AFP) brand, succeeds because of the passion, innovation, skill and creativity of our people. And at the centre of it all are our chefs.
Fonterra has a global team of 70 chefs, with 51 based in China. In China, our Customer‑Led Chefs not only test products and drive application innovation based on market trends and customer needs, they also act as ambassadors showcasing AFP’s professional image and expertise. Each year at major events like BakeryChina and CIIE, our chefs take centre stage with application recipes and live demonstrations that highlight the versatility and quality of our dairy products.
Our chefs are not just experts in their craft – they are innovators and collaborators. As Fonterra employees, they work closely with our external brand ambassadors to support and inspire culinary creativity showcasing our products across diverse foodservice environments. From Michelin-starred professionals to international competition judges and winners, they bring credibility and creativity to our foodservice business.
The depth of our AFP chef network
Our chefs are based in a range of countries helping boost the performance of regional customers by demonstrating not only key products like cream, cream cheese, butter and cheese, but also highlighting how Fonterra’s innovations can make a real difference.
Our chefs work in different roles across the globe:
- Global Chefs lead innovation and represent AFP internationally. They often partner with organisations like the Worldchefs Association helping to shape the future of foodservice. They include Global Advisory Chefs, Research and Development Chefs, and external Global Chef Ambassadors.
- Research and Development Chefs are based in Research and Development centres like Palmerston North, testing how products perform and helping develop new dairy solutions.
- Customer-Led Chefs are located in-market, working directly with customers to tailor dairy products to local tastes and business needs developing new applications and menu concepts inspired by food trends – creating over 250 new applications every year.
What role do our chefs play?
These chefs are part of the AFP family and play a key role in ensuring our products meet the high standards expected in professional kitchens including:
Performance testing
Our chefs play a critical role in evaluating how our dairy products perform in real-world conditions. This includes testing whether creams whip well, hold their shape over time, and perform on finished products across multiple channels like delivery and in store. They also test performance over time.
Innovation validation
Before any product carries the AFP label, it must pass rigorous testing by our chefs ensuring it performs to the standards demanded in professional kitchens. This goes beyond taste with our chefs assessing how products behave when baked, whipped, frozen and heated. They also consider how the products fit with regional preferences, helping turn new ideas into trusted, high-performing solutions that meet our customers evolving needs.
Customer collaboration
Our chefs work hand-in-hand with foodservice businesses to co-create recipes, menu ideas and practical solutions that elevate the role of dairy in local cuisine. This collaboration is grounded in our chefs deep understanding of regional tastes, business models and kitchen challenges.
In-market chefs partner directly with cafés, bakeries, restaurants and Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) to customise applications using dairy that meet specific customer needs – whether it’s enhancing flavour, improving operational efficiency or adapting recipes to make the most of AFP products. Our chefs translate customer needs – such as improving consistency – to our Research and Development teams for product development. They don’t just demonstrate products; they help solve real challenges, unlock new revenue opportunities and bring fresh ideas to life.
In China, this work is powered by six application centres, including the newest in Wuhan. These centres serve as innovation hubs where chefs demonstrate how Fonterra dairy can be used in buns, cakes, cream cheese-based desserts and beverages. They also run training sessions, product trials and customer workshops – bringing New Zealand dairy to life in ways that resonate with local consumers and drive our customers business growth.
Trend spotting
Our chefs are also strategists, keeping a close eye on emerging trends across global and local markets. Their insights help AFP stay ahead of the curve in bakery, culinary and beverage innovation. By monitoring shifts in consumer preferences, ingredient usage and menu innovation, our chefs can identify opportunities to evolve our products while inspiring new dairy uses. Whether it’s the rise of indulgent bakery in Asia, the growing demand for premium beverages in QSRs, or the blending of traditional and modern cuisine, our chefs turn these trends into practical ideas that work in real-world kitchens.
Their work ensures that AFP remains responsive and ready to support our customers with solutions that reflect what’s next in food – before it becomes mainstream.
Showcasing AFP on the global stage
Next April, AFP will showcase our chef's expertise at Food & Hospitality Asia (FHA) 2026 in Singapore – the biggest FHA event in a decade and the first time Food & Hotel Asia (Consumer and Hotel, Restaurant and Cafe events) will be combined into one.
AFP will have a strong presence at the event, showcasing our network of chefs through live demonstrations that highlight the performance of our premium dairy products. These sessions will feature innovative applications inspired by global flavour and texture trends, while highlighting the unmatched quality of our New Zealand grass-fed dairy.
A culinary alliance
AFP is the exclusive dairy sponsor of Worldchefs, the global authority in professional bakery and pastry excellence. The partnership is built on shared values and a commitment to elevating foodservice across the globe.
This collaboration goes far beyond sponsorship. It connects AFP to a respected global network of chefs and culinary leaders, highlighting the brand’s credibility and influence in professional kitchens worldwide.
Together, AFP and Worldchefs are:
- Raising culinary standards through competitions
- Supporting chefs with training, mentoring and access to dairy innovation
- Driving change in foodservice through chef-led product development
- Creating global platforms where chefs can grow, be recognised and inspire others
From behind-the-scenes support to front-of-house creativity, AFP is part of the journey for culinary professionals – ensuring that Fonterra’s dairy products are trusted, tested and designed by chefs, for chefs.
Bringing it all together
Our chefs are at the heart of our foodservice brand and are involved in every stage of our foodservice journey – from testing and refining products to working directly with customers and spotting what’s next in food.
By combining hands-on expertise with global partnerships, our chefs help shape practical, high-quality solutions that support foodservice businesses around the world to grow and succeed.