Hospitality students continue winning streak

Author: Glenn Stridiron, Hospitality / Cookery Co-ordi
Date posted: 06/07/09

The award winning team from the Southern Institute Of Technology, School of Hospitality have done it again - winning the Best Overall Team for the Junior Team Skills event at the recently held National Culinary Fare in Auckland. The team consisting of Shaye Pearce & Rina Hawkins in the Kitchen and Monique Dill on the Floor took away the title for the fourth time in 8 years, the only institution do so. Under the training and guidance of tutors Glenn Stridiron (Kitchen) and Shelley Findlater (Restaurant Service). The trio prepared and presented a three course meal of:

Entrée: Two Tastes of Salmon- citrus cured & little filo rolls served with a chilled tomato soup and a petite salad of Spanish onion, fennel, capers & micro cress.

Main: Sirloin of Beef with Petite Ratatouille Salsa, Roast Portobello Mushroom topped with sautéed Silverbeet & Blue River Sheeps Feta, Crispy Polenta and Cumin scented parmentier of Pumpkin.

Dessert: Cardamom & Vanilla Scented Pannacotta, Saffron Poached Pear, Spanish-style Rice Pudding, Poppy Seed Biscuit then finished with a rich berry Coulis.

...for three guests; two plates for judging and one for presentation in three hours.

It is a great achievement for first year students with only 6-7 months hospitality experience to be able to compete and deliver at such a high level under intense pressure. The win is also indicative of the time and commitment given by all tutors and staff in the School of Hospitality that encourage & support students that wish to compete, in all areas of hospitality. Apart from event listed above, a number of students competing in other events all achieved with great success, with the Toque D'Or team Petra Walters & Brooke Cavanagh - Silver in the Kitchen & Abby Macpherson - Gold for Restaurant, under the guidance of Ray Flutey (Kitchen) and Shelley Findlater (Restaurant Service).

In the individual events:
Rachael Higgins - Overall Winner Food & Wine Match
Anthony Haines - 2nd Overall Beef Open
Monique Dill - Silver medal, Table setting & crumbing down
Abby MacPherson - Silver medal, Table setting & crumbing down

The success of the students is even more rewarding considering the time and expense that it takes to get everyone to Auckland to compete each year. This can only be achieved through sponsorship for our annual fundraising Celebrity Chef's Dinner and ongoing involvement in the hospitality industry. We look forward to attending next years culinary fare, once again promoting the quality of training here at SIT.