Rookie cooks from across the country have show they've got the skills to craft a perfect pavlova.
There are two wings of the annual Nosh Pavlova Competition - and all categories in the major Mt Eden edition were taken out by chefs aged under 16.
Legendary New Zealand foodies Lauraine Jacobs and Nici Wickes were on hand to judge 60 classic Kiwi desserts yesterday.
"From a food writer's point of view we were tremendously encouraged by the standard of entries," Jacobs said.
At just 15-years-old, high school student Jada Mandery from Parnell won the adult categrory with a traditional pav topped with seasonal fresh berries and cream.
"The pavlova is not easy to cook and I'd go as far to say the future is very exciting from the aspect of encouraging young people to put on a pinny and give it a go - long live the pav," Jacobs said.
