Entry into the country’s top hospitality competition for emerging culinary superstars has now opened, with the organisers expecting the competition to be fiercer than ever given that workplace trainees and apprentices are now eligible to enter.
Nestlé Toque d’Or turns 29 this year and has had a makeover to meet head on the changing face of New Zealand’s hospitality industry.
NZChefs President Hughie Blues says including industry trainees and apprentices in the competition alongside students from the country’s leading training institutes was a logical progression for the competition. The move is intended to better reflect the hospitality sector as it continues to evolve.
The event pits teams of three – two culinary and one restaurant service competitors – against each other in a live kitchen cook off. They must prepare and serve six covers of a three-course meal within a set timeframe, while a panel of top industry judges score their efforts against a strict World Chefs’ marking criteria.
Last year, a team from the Ara Institute of Canterbury took out the coveted top title of Supreme Winner. Nestlé Toque d’Or is an unparalleled experience that opens doors to career paths, while also offering competitors the opportunity to connect with and learn from some of the country’s leading chefs and hospitality professionals.
Gold, silver or bronze medals are presented to competitors, plus there’s a chance to win the top title of ‘Supreme Winner’ and a prize pack which includes a culinary trip to Australia.
To be able to enter, competitors must sign up as a team of three comprising two cookery and one restaurant service competitors. Entrants must be New Zealand residents working in the hospitality industry, aged between 16 and 25 years on 12 August 2019 (one cookery student can be aged 27 years or younger).
Organised by NZChefs in conjunction with Nestlé Professional, the event is supported by other top organisations involved in the hospitality industry including: Akaroa Salmon, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Fresh Connection, House of Knives, Moffat and the New Zealand Specialty Cheese Association.
Nestlé Toque d’Or will be held on Monday 12 August in Auckland. An awards dinner will be held later in the evening where the winning team will be crowned. To find out more information go to: https://www.nestleprofessional.co.nz/nestle-toque-dor
