For 90 minutes on Tuesday afternoon in the bowels of the NZMA Polytech Kitchen in Mt Wellington, Auckland, Nick Bryan (Year 13) and Manaia Thomas-Coleman (Year 12) battled it out with six other regional teams at the National Secondary Schools Culinary Champs.

By the end of the session the duo had earned a Silver Medal (requiring a score of 80-90 out of 100). The boys have been training at least three times a week since April for the competition in which they were required to make four servings of an entree and four servings of a main for a panel of eight professional chef judges. 

A highlight from the competition judging feedback was the Executive Chef from Sky City, who has 180 chefs working under her, telling the team that the King’s High School's entree was her favourite dish of the event.

Nick and Manaia's Menu

Entree: roasted and charred baby carrots served on a miso carrot puree, served with pickled red onion, crispy fried kale, pistachio crumb, baby cress and violas. 

Main: a waitoa breast chicken wellington including a spinach and hazelnut duxelle served on a butternut pumpkin puree with sautéed broccolini and seared leek rings. A fresh baby beetroot leaf salad and candied walnut garnish finishes the dish.