About Shannon

I’m Shannon Young — chef, creator, and the voice behind Number 8 Cooking. A shoutout to the very genesis of Kiwi ingenuity.

The Number 8 Wire Mentality

New Zealand’s number 8 wire mentality runs deep in my blood. Born from the humble fencing wire that held our farms and our lives together, it speaks to something far greater than practicality. It speaks to ingenuity, to grit, to the unshakeable belief that where there’s a will, there’s absolutely a way.

That spirit doesn’t stay in the paddock. It lives in my kitchen. Every recipe I create, every technique I share, every dish I put on the table is driven by that same restless, resourceful energy. Number 8 Cooking is where culinary creativity meets Kiwi determination, and where great results are never held hostage by limited resources.

The Chef Behind The Apron

I’m a caffeine freak, a chocolate and cherry devotee, and utterly, unapologetically food obsessed. Cooking isn’t something I do; it’s who I am.

An addiction I have absolutely no intention of recovering from. I’ll try any ingredient, push any boundary, and coax flavor from places others wouldn’t think to look. Words and cooking; they’re the twin engines that drive me. And my family? They’re my purpose.

Number 8 Cooking: The Home Of Culinary Creativity

Whether it’s conjuring a gourmet dinner from leftovers, drawing on foraged ingredients to build something unexpected, or finding bold new methods when space and resources are scarce, I’ve made the number 8 wire mentality the cornerstone of everything I create.

I cook with local, seasonal ingredients. I use every part of the animal or plant to honor what’s on my board and maximize every last drop of flavor. I improvise with what’s at hand and deliver results that prove limitation is often the mother of brilliance.

“The Number 8 Wire Mentality has become an integral part of my everyday cooking.”

— Shannon, the helpful chef

With decades of culinary knowledge and an arsenal of creative ideas, I’m here to help you bring incredibly delicious meals to the people you love. My training at the Auckland University of Technology, combined with years in esteemed restaurants, cafes, and hotels, honed my craft to its sharpest edge.

Over 20 Years in Prestigious Roles

Head Chef, Executive Chef, Group Chef, have given me the experience not just to cook, but to lead, innovate, and create dishes that leave a lasting impression. That depth of knowledge is what I bring to every recipe, every technique, and every story I share here.

In 2020, I made a deliberate pivot. I stepped beyond the kitchen walls and into a new creative chapter; one where my passion for ingredients, recipe creation, and the written word could come together. What I found was a profound new way to share the flavors, aromas, and techniques I’d spent a lifetime mastering. Bringing them directly into your kitchen.

Where It All Started

My culinary journey began long before any professional kitchen. It started at home, watching my mother move through the kitchen with effortless grace, and sitting with my grandfather, a seasoned chef himself; absorbing his knowledge and his love for food.

Those early lessons lit a fire in me that has never gone out. They pushed me to explore, experiment, and develop ingenious ways of preparing dishes that leave your taste buds dancing.

Whether it’s a quick midweek meal or a complex recipe that demands patience and precision, I approach every dish with the same hunger to make it better, easier, and more deeply satisfying than the time before. With every dish I create, I aim to capture the essence of my culinary roots, and then push beyond them.

“Creating recipes, and cooking is an addiction which I have no control over”

I’m Here For You

If you’re looking to create delicious, memorable meals for the people who matter most to you but aren’t quite sure where to begin, you’re in exactly the right place.

I’m a father of two sons who share my love for cooking, and I deeply understand the joy of passing this skill on to the next generation. There is nothing more satisfying than a scrumptious home-cooked meal shared around a table with the people you love. That belief is the heartbeat of everything I do here.

With over two and a half decades of culinary expertise and a treasure trove of innovative recipes waiting to be discovered, there has never been a better time to start your culinary adventure with Number 8 Cooking.

From timeless classics to bold new flavors, I guarantee you’ll find something that ignites your passion and inspires you to create something extraordinary in your own kitchen.

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