Jun 29, 2012
8 Gold, 20 Silver, 6 Bronze - NSIA students on the top of the rankings at the 2012 Auckland Regional Culinary Fare
The recent Auckland Regional Culinary Fare was held at AUT on 23rd and 24th June. Again NSIA proved its quality and standing amongst the regional training institutes through their excellent performance in the major categories, by winning 8 Gold, 20 Silver, 6 Bronze medals. Gaining top of class in six different categories was the icing on the cake for all the effort put in by the NSIA team. They were: Classic Cocktails, Chocolate Dessert, Tea Pastries, Nicoise Salad, Live Cupcakes and Barista.
The event is designed to create a positive and supportive environment focusing on hospitality industry skills as well as giving our juniors some exposure to competitions and expected standards before the National which commence on the 19th August 2012.
NSIA campuses have been echoing with the sounds of searing steaks diffusing complex and subtle aromas, steaming espressos, the shaking of cocktails and whip of table cloths being professionally placed. The excitement and expectations of success at the competitions had steadily built amongst the Academy’s competitors. Early on the morning of Saturday the first categories fired up to start the Regional with competitors having completed their mis-en-place and tutors giving their last gems of advice. One medal winner Yamali Panjwani commented “I was extremely nervous on the day as it was my first time in the cocktail event…it was an exciting, confusing, thrilling, tense experience and when I came to know that I was awarded a gold in my category I was on top of the world…now I am looking forward to competing in the National.”
With over 300 entrants this year, the competition was intensely tough. Jason McGeorge, who was the Salon Coordinator for the NSIA students, reflected on the outcomes of the Academy’s entrants “The dedication and professionalism displayed by our team of competitors was, as always, a credit to NSIA, and it has been a great pleasure to be involved with such a passionate group of individuals who all have fantastic futures in front of them. Congratulations to all!”
NSIA has always had the passion and goal to provide opportunities for their students that will set the candidates in a strong position that launches them into their professional careers.
The Head of Academy Tim Aspinall expressed how proud he was of all the students and their trainers who competed on behalf of NSIA. “I would like to wish the best of success to the entire host of dedicated NSIA competitors for the next round of the highly anticipated competitions, which will be held from the19th to the 21st of August at the ASB showground’s in Greenlane Auckland.”
(The New Zealand Culinary Fare is the largest culinary competition in the Southern Hemisphere, playing host to more than 1,000 competitors battling it out in over 60 classes, and with the expectation of 5,000 plus visitors. cf. Restaurant Association)
