Serena Shao
Local & International students make their mark!
NZMA had 70 students compete at the New Zealand Hospitality Championships in association with NZChefs over four days, 27 – 30 July. The NZMA team won six Gold, 46 Silver and 24 Bronze medals, plus seven Class Winners, the Training Service Person of the Year and WorldSkills Challenge.
A sample of some of their students who won medals are listed below:
- It was all action in the high pressured environment of table-setting where Mount Wellington resident, James Boaza won a Silver Medal and also the WorldSkills category.
- Orakei resident, Aaliyah Pahau won a Silver medal in the Classic Cocktail.
- Mount Wellington resident Serena Shao excelled by winning the Training Service Person of Year trophy, plus Silver medals in the classic and innovative table-setting and classic cocktail making.
The NZ Hospitality Championships are held annually to showcase the talent of New Zealand’s hospitality industry. It is run in association with NZ Chefs who are the “National Association” supporting and representing Chefs across New Zealand from school age to mature practitioners. There has been an increase in competitor numbers of 50% over last year.
Each year NZMA competes in this prestigious national competition and returns with a raft of medals and accolades.
Over 800 aspiring chefs, baristas, cocktail creators and table setting specialists gathered to compete in the country’s largest hospitality competition.
Students were tested in separate competitions for their specialty which included: Innovative cocktail; Mystery Box Cocktail; Barista; Table setting; Fruit Flan Static; Cold desserts static; Cold entrée static; Live knife skills; Live dessert; Live Pasta & Mushroom; Live Salmon; Live Soup; Live Venison; Live Café Breakfast; Training chef of the Year.
