Medals for Local Students at Top Culinary Competition

Medals for Local Students at Top Culinary Competition

A team from WelTec have proven to be winners in and out of the kitchen, after they won silver and bronze medals at the prestigious annual Nestlé Toque d’Or student culinary competition.

Culinary students Tyler Langerveld and Thuay An Lai went head-to-head with hospitality students from around the country to win silver at the Auckland event. Restaurant service student Reme Barkema who also formed part of the team, picked up a bronze medal.

Tyler and Thuay An Lai battled it out for over three hours against 10 other teams from around the country to create their medal winning three course menu which was served to guests by Reme.

The pressure was on throughout the live cook off, as the team fought against the clock and scrutiny of top industry judges including world renown chef Gert Klotzke of Sweden.

The panel of judges was led by high profile chef and leading culinary figure Darren Wright. Competing teams were marked against WorldChefs International Judging Standards which include food preparation, presentation, taste and service.

The event which has been running for 26 years is a key fixture on the culinary calendar and is hotly contested by the country’s leading hospitality institutes.

Event organiser and New Zealand Chefs Association President Graham Hawkes said Nestlé Toque d’Or challenges competitors to put into practise everything they had learned, remain calm and produce their very best dish and service to achieve great results.

“On the day, there’s no room for error as points are lost for any slip ups that might occur. Aside from the competitive component, the event also puts the students in front of some of the most highly-regarded culinary professionals from New Zealand which opens new doors to rewarding career opportunities.”

A special award sponsored by Moffat that recognises innovative use of Nestlé Professional products across a team’s menu, went to Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Rotorua Campus.

This year was the 26th anniversary of Nestlé Toque d’Or which is New Zealand’s longest running and most prestigious student cookery and restaurant service event. Aside from New Zealand, it is also held in 17 other countries around the world and has launched the careers of many world-famous chefs.

Sponsors of this year’s event were: Nestlé Professional, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, vegetables.co.nz, Akaroa Salmon, House of Knives and Moffat.

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