Matthew Pereira credits his grandmother and his Portuguese heritage for his passion for cooking and future career aspirations.
The Tauranga Boys' College student said he hoped to be a chef in the New Zealand Army or open up a cafe, and was gaining valuable knowledge at school. He has fond memories of helping out his grandmother, Maria, from an early age in the kitchen preparing food.
"My grandmother comes from a rich Portuguese background and apparently, from her point of view, Portuguese women are pretty much the cooks, so she has taught me quite a lot of recipes."
Family secrets had been handed down including how to make Portuguese-style chicken, squid and octopus, he said.
"She is really into her sweets as well and has taught me how to make rice pudding, Portuguese donuts and breads, which are quite nice really."