Auckland hospitality and cookery school Ignite Colleges has joined forces with a group of Auckland high schools to raise money for Kiwi kids with cancer.
Year 12 and 13 students from Mt Albert Grammar School, Papakura High School, Lynfield College, Tangaroa College and De La Salle High School cooked up a storm at Ignite Colleges in Manukau, creating a feast for 85 guests, and raising more than $8000 for the Child Cancer Foundation.
Anna Irvine, Child Cancer Foundation’s Business Development Manager Northern Region says the foundation is thrilled to be the recipient charity for the inaugural High School Hospitality Dinner.
“It was incredibly special to have students preparing this dinner to raise funds for children affected by cancer. This event was unique and a wonderful opportunity to showcase students’ skills alongside showing their willingness to help others.”
Several budding chefs from each high school were selected, motivated by a passion for cooking and a strong desire to contribute in meaningful ways to their communities.
Says former chef and De La Salle High School teacher Aaron Dsouza, “I use hospitality as a vehicle not only to train students to prepare them for the industry, but also to build and develop their leadership potential. These students have come to learn the true meaning of hospitality, and the scope and impact it has on others – not only from a service aspect but also a charitable perspective.”
When Ignite Colleges General Manager Jasbir Kaur was approached to join the initiative she didn’t hesitate to accept.
Says Kaur: “We have state-of-the-art kitchens and event facilities as well as skilled hospitality and cookery students who are keen to give back to the community. We were delighted to be able to host and participate in an event that supports such a worthy cause”.
Guests were treated to a three-course dinner including innovative dishes such as five spice roast duck and vegetable rice paper wraps, and slow roasted horopito chicken breast stuffed with pancetta and buffalo mozzarella. The dishes were technical and gave students the opportunity to demonstrate their culinary prowess.
In addition to providing table service and assistance with the cooking, Ignite students brewed their own beer, which was served on the night.
“As well as raising money for children with cancer and their families, this event provides a fantastic platform for budding young chefs to get a taste of life in the hospitality industry,” says Kaur.
