From kitchen to catwalk – Meet the kitchen assistant turned beauty queen
By day, Sheetal Bhatt dons her apron and works her magic in the kitchen of Arvida Queenstown Country Club, preparing meals for residents in the care centre.
In her spare time, Sheetal is applying makeup and striking a pose in stunning dresses for beauty pageants.
She recently entered the Mrs Aotearoa Beauty Pageant, where she was the winner of the Most Articulate Award and named Second Runner-up in the category of Mrs Aotearoa 2025. But this is just the beginning, as she’ll now be representing New Zealand on the global stage in the upcoming Mrs United Nations International to be held in China.
Before dazzling judges on the pageant stage and residents with kitchen delights, Sheetal was a Wellness Partner, engaging with Arvida’s Attitude of Living Well. Her participation in Mrs Aotearoa 2025 celebrated female empowerment. "It wasn’t just about outer beauty, it was also about the women and inner strength," Sheetal asserts.
Originally from India, Sheetal viewed the pageant as an opportunity to immerse herself in New Zealand culture. Through this, she gained insight into Māori traditions, saying, "New Zealand is full of diversity and I’m very blessed that I’m in this country with beautiful people all around me."
Back in the Arvida Queenstown Country Club kitchen, Sheetal’s been whipping up breakfasts, morning and afternoon teas, lunches, and dinners for two years now, a culinary passion that’s as strong as her interest in pageants. Overtime, she’s seen mash potatoes and pork belly stand out as favourites of residents.
Participating in the Mrs Aotearoa Beauty Pageant was no small feat. The process involved interviews, self development presentations, and confidence workshops. “It really helped to have the support of my team and residents around me. It’s funny because the residents think I’m lovely with or without a crown.”