Vanessa Baxter cooks for Quinn

PASSION: Celebrity chef Vanessa Baxter cooked with Quinn Hautapu (centre) and her fellow students at Parkland School. Photo: ALECIA ROUSSEAU

Celebrity chef Vanessa Baxter has a special bond with Palmerston North youngster Quinn Hautapu.

The pair met at the Ronald McDonald House in Auckland while Quinn was going through chemotherapy.

Quinn had been diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour in 2011 and has been in remission for three years.

Mum Roanne said, despite being rid of cancer, her health issues were ongoing, including using a wheelchair for the past two months.

Baxter said when she first met Quinn she was struck by her determination to take part in cooking classes.

"Quinn was just amazing; here she is right in the middle of chemo, really sick, yet absolutely determined to do one of my cooking classes.

"She was so desperate every time she knew one was on and, her brother Fletcher took part too so, from there our relationship developed."

Baxter is a RMDH ambassador and said it was special role that allowed her to shed a few smiles in between what was usually a distressing time.

"I would go everyday for that smile. I promised Quinn I would come and cook for her one day ... I never give up on a promise."

It took three years but last Thursday Baxter cooked with 120 senior students at Parkland School.

The MasterChef finalist imparted her knowledge of various cultures and cuisine and showed pupils how to create Vietnamese Spring Rolls.

Baxter, originally from Perth, had lived in various countries including Singapore, Indonesia (where she raised her two sons) and Vietnam.

It was her time in Vietnam which inspired Baxter to become involved in KOTO Charities International which uses a holistic approach teaching street-kids hospitality.

After leaving MasterChef she wanted to create something more and started Kitchens Without Boundaries, a business based on bringing people together through food.

"I travel all over, I recently cooked for a girl with half a heart in the middle of nowhere," Baxter said.

"Her school had six pupils but, they invited the homeschooler so she brought another 13.

"I feel like I've been immersed in the gorgeous arms of true Kiwis, sharing food and happiness."

Quinn said she was delighted to have Baxter join her at school.

"I've cooked with her a few times and I went to one of her classes at Nosh these past school holidays. My favourite thing to eat was the dumplings."

Palmerston North city councillor Duncan McCann offered his support on the day and said he shared Baxter's passion for cooking.

"We met at the Food Awards in Auckland and she is so great. She has a long association with Starship and that's really neat."

Parkland School acting principal Carolyn Jones said Baxter's visit was a great opportunity.

"It links in really well with things we are already doing such as plant-to-plate. The kids are involved with our school garden, planting the veges and growing them.

"It's also really motivating for the children to be with someone from TV."