Students Achieve Silver In Golden Hat Competition

Local students achieve silver in 'golden hat' competition

Two culinary students from Hospitality Standards Institute (HSI) have taken out silver medals at this year's 17th Nestlé Toque d'Or competition - the country's top hospitality competition.

(Left) Phillipa (Pip) Palmer and Sohie Beck competing at the Nestlé Toque d'Or
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Sophie Beck and Phillipa Palmer went head-to-head with 33 other hospitality students from around the country to win their silver medals at the event on 3 September, which was held at Auckland's Logan Campbell Centre. Restaurant service student Nicole Blank who formed part of the HSI competing team achieved a gold medal in the same event.

Nestlé Toque d'Or event organiser, Pip Duncan, said the event was a challenging one, requiring students to prepare and serve six covers of a three-course meal within two-and-a-half hours.

"It's a demanding competition," Pip said.

"Students were judged on preparation, hygiene, presentation, taste and service, and had to meet strict time deadlines for each course.

"Menus were also prepared and were judged on the use of correct terminology and recipe development."

Nestlé Toque d'Or is the country's longest running and most prestigious student cookery and food service competition. It is held in 17 countries around the world and has launched the careers of world-famous chefs, including Jamie Oliver and Anton Mosimann. The competition is designed to simulate the pressure of a real working team environment, overseen by industry-wide experienced judges who are hard to impress.

Pip said the 12 competing teams were this year judged by an impressive line up of judges drawn from throughout the country, including Mark Wylie of Auckland's Soul Bar and Bistro, and Anita Sarginson of Flying Burrito Brothers.

"The judges are not an easy bunch to impress, but once again the students surprised the panel this year with the professional and creative menus they developed," Pip said.

Sponsors of this year's event include primary sponsor Nestlé FoodServices, and additional sponsors PERRIER, NZ Beef and Lamb Bureau, Akaroa Salmon, vegetables.co.nz and House of Knives.

ENDS

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