Students scramble for cooking prize

20 June 2013

Students scramble for cooking prize

UCOL Wairarapa will run a junior masterchef competition for local schools at the end of the month, in the hope of finding an egg-ceptional omelette maker.

So far, four local schools have signed up students for the event on June 28, which will see Year 10 and 11 students compete at UCOL Wairarapa’s training kitchen to make the most innovative omelette – sweet or savoury.

UCOL Wairarapa Cookery Lecturer Damian Peeti says over the last few weeks he has been getting out and about visiting schools, giving cooking demonstrations in the lead up to the competition. “I want to inspire those students that have an interest in cooking.

“The competition is a build-up to the City and Guilds Regional Secondary Competitions next year.

Mr Peeti says that being able to connect with local schools in this way contributes to meeting the needs of Wairarapa’s youth. “Seeing young people move successfully from school into tertiary education is really important to us.”

“We’re starting with our small competition here in Masterton, and the whole experience may also serve as a tertiary study ‘taster’ for the students.”

UCOL Wairarapa offers a Certificate in Professional Cookery Level 3 and a Certificate in Baking and Pastry Level 3.

Competitors will have to produce and serve two omelettes, either ‘folded’ or ‘shaped’ and containing 2-3 eggs each, in 30 minutes. They will also have to provide a description and recipes for their omelettes.

The students will be judged on presentation, innovation, taste and cooking techniques.

Judges will include UCOL Cookery Lecturer Damian Peeti, and Aberdeen Bar and Restaurant Head Chef/UCOL graduate Phillip Healy.

The competition is sponsored by local company Henergy Eggs Ltd and Masterton’s Aberdeen Bar and Restaurant, and MasterChef NZ has provided a book prize signed by season one judge Ray McVinnie.

ENDS

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