The year 13 and year 12 duo of Nickolas Bryan and Manaia Thomas-Coleman nailed it at this year’s regional National Secondary Schools' Culinary Competition last week with Silver Medal creations.
Competing individually, each student had one hour to complete two portions of a main featuring carrots. The competition is judged using international cookery competition rules, which means that all competitors start with a perfect score of 100 and the three judges look for reasons to remove marks.
To gain a Silver Medal both boys had to individually hold onto between 80-89 marks which they succeeded in doing. This is a first for King’s and bodes well for the National Final in Auckland on September 3rd. At this competition the pair will work together to produce four portions of both a main, featuring chicken, and an entree.
At the regional competition, Nick made roasted and charred baby carrots served on a miso carrot puree, served with pickled red onion, deep fried purple carrot crisps and fried kale, pistachio crumb, baby cress and violas. Manaia’s dish was hay smoked and honey glazed baby carrots with a toasted walnut crumb served with a carrot, onion and garlic puree, a carrot top chimichurri and cumin seed crisp.
Recent Old Boy Tom White was instrumental in the boys' preparation and will play a key role in our bid for the National title. After completing Chef Training, Tom is now working at acclaimed Dunedin Restaurant Moiety. Also, keep an eye out for Tom's new vegan ready-to-eat meals at the Farmer’s Market.