Junior chefs to whip up their best omelettes

UCOL Wairarapa will run a Junior Masterchef competition for Wairarapa schoolchildren to find an 'egg-ceptional' young omelette-maker with a hankering for the kitchen.

To date four schools in the region have signed on for the event, which will next Friday pit Year 10 and 11 students against each other at UCOL Wairarapa's training kitchen in a battle to build the most innovative omelette - sweet or savoury.

UCOL Wairarapa cookery lecturer Damian Peeti said over the past few weeks he had been getting out and about and visiting schools, giving cooking demonstrations in the lead-up to the competition.

"The competition is a build-up to the City and Guilds Regional Secondary Competitions next year.

"I want to inspire those students that have an interest in cooking."

Mr Peeti said connecting with schools through events like a Junior Masterchef contributed to meeting youth needs in Wairarapa.

UCOL Wairarapa offers a Certificate in Professional Cookery Level 3 and a Certificate in Baking and Pastry Level 3.

"Seeing young people move successfully from school into tertiary education is really important to us. We're starting with our small competition here in Masterton, and the whole experience may also serve as a tertiary study 'taster' for the students," said Mr Peeti.

Competitors will have half-an-hour to produce and serve two omelettes, he said, either folded or shaped and containing two to three eggs each.

Competitors also will have to provide a description and recipe for their omelettes.

The students will be judged on presentation, innovation, taste and cooking techniques, Mr Peeti said.

Judges will include Mr Peeti and Aberdeen Bar and Restaurant Head Chef/UCOL graduate Phillip Healy.

The competition is sponsored by local company Henergy Eggs Ltd and Masterton's Aberdeen Bar and Restaurant.

MasterChef NZ has provided a book prize signed by season one judge Ray McVinnie.