Sizzling success for rookie cooks

CHAMPS: Cheryl-Kay Phillips and Thomas Pepper are the toast of their tutor, UCOL Wairarapa cookery tutor Damian Peeti. PHOTO/NATHAN CROMBIE

Two Wairarapa cookery students have returned home with silver medals after cooking up a storm at the country's most prestigious culinary event .

Teenagers Thomas Pepper and Cheryl-Kay Phillips tasted success at the New Zealand Culinary Fare in Auckland at the weekend.

The UCOL students are working toward a Certificate in Baking and Pastry Level 3.

Both started studies as Youth Guarantee government-funded scholars.

Mr Pepper, 17, won a silver medal in the Trainee Pasta category with his beetroot and feta stuffed ravioli and Ms Phillips, 18, scooped a silver medal for her seared beef fillet with pumpkin puree and glazed baby vegetables in the Open Beef class.

UCOL Wairarapa cookery tutor Damian Peeti, who was a judge in the New Zealand shellfish section and floor manager in the Toque d'Or event at the culinary fare, said the pair had won success in fields of up to a dozen competitors during the live kitchen competitions at the most prestigious culinary event in New Zealand.

Each of the students gained their Certificate in Professional Cookery Level 3 last semester and at the Hawke's Bay Central Salon Culinaire. In May Mr Pepper twice took bronze and Ms Phillips took a single bronze.

Both had been practising preparing and serving their dishes for weeks in addition to their normal course workload. On the day of competition, each had an hour to produce four identical main dishes for judging.

Mr Peeti, a past gold medal-winner at the NZ Culinary fare, said the pair had performed well - especially at their age.

He said he was sure he would be "crossing industry paths" with both medal-winners in future.

"These two have really excelled in their studies and under the pressure and scrutiny of top level competition."

He said their success at the Auckland event enhances their prospects in the industry and will open many doors. "It was certainly that way for me".

Mr Pepper plans to take up an apprenticeship in the industry next year and Ms Phillips is set on beginning studies toward a Bachelor in Culinary Arts.