Future Masterchefs Head For UCOL Kitchens

Future Masterchefs Head For UCOL Kitchens

Manawatu and Whanganui secondary school students with a talent for the culinary arts will ompete at UCOL in Palmerston North this Wednesday.

UCOL is the venue for the regional competition in the New Zealand Junior Hospitality Challenge which is run by the Hospitality Standards Institute and judged by the New Zealand Chefs Association. UCOL Cookery and Hospitality lecturers will also judge the competition which is expected to attract young entrants from schools throughout the central North Island.

The competition is divided into three classes. The Live Kitchen class requires competitors to prepare main courses of Regal salmon, pork mince, pasta, and an omelette with an innovative filling. A special vegetarian section requires both an entrée and a main course.

The students have just 30 minutes to prepare the salmon dish, 90 minutes to prepare the vegetarian dishes, and 45 minutes for the other dishes.

For the Cookery Static Display class, the competitors present their best muffins, quiche and fruit flans. In the Afternoon Tea section, they have to prepare and serve a tea that includes scones with accompaniments, a sandwich and one further sweet item.

Competitors in the Front of House class will be judged on table setting, novelty table setting and decoration, and on their ability to make a non-alcoholic cocktail (mocktail) in 15 minutes.
All competitors start with 100 marks and lose marks as errors occur in the events.

High scorers in the regional event will receive medals. The top winners will receive return trips to Auckland so that they and their teachers can attend the national finals on 25 August. They will also be offered practical work experience and mentoring, to help train for the finals.

ENDS

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