The fastest fingers in NZ to wear the silver fern

Tuesday 19 July 2005

The fastest fingers in NZ to wear the silver fern in Hawaii Sub Jammers national champion is taking on the world

New Zealand's newest champion hopes to bring home the gold at this year's Subway World Sub Jammer Championship in Hawaii this weekend.

Toriwai Haunui, known as "Toots", has taken on the best in the land and has won a trip to Hawaii to compete against the world's best at sandwich making on Sunday (24 June).

Toriwai, who flies out on Wednesday (20 July) afternoon, has had to rush to get ready to go and due to Air New Zealand strikes moving his flight forward he has lost a day of valuable practice time.

This hiccup doesn't seem to have Toots worried however, he's relying on his years of sandwich making experience to be his biggest help on the day and secure him the winner's prize - US$5000 cash.

"I have been working at Subway for more than six years and make 'foot-longs' every day so I should know what I am doing" says Toots.

"You have to have just the right amount of everything for example 48 grams of lettuce and the right amount of pickles and capsicum placed just right and I think I am able to do that pretty well".

The biggest challenge for Toots will be not letting his nerves get to him in the face of stiff international competition.

"I will just have to transport myself back to work and pretend that I am making a normal Subway for one of my regular customers".

Toots, who has recently cut down his hours at Subway to start a business management course, has only ever been as far abroad as Australia so a trip to Hawaii is very exciting.

SUBWAYR New Zealand's Spokesperson Mark Rutherglen says the Sub Jammers competition is not only about being quick; contestants need to make a great-looking sandwich, with exactly the right amount of each ingredient, napkins and wrapped to perfection.

Contestants are then marked on speed, visual appeal, correct ingredients, consistency and neatness.

Toots will not be without support in Hawaii - members of Subway's management team and franchisees will be in town for a conference and to provide Toots with much-appreciated support.

With eight nights in Hawaii Toots will have a bit of time to relax once the stress of the competition is over.

ENDS

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