Another culinary triumph - June 2016

COOKING CHAMPIONS: Olivia Caird (left) and Charlotte Taylor are heading to the National Secondary Schools Culinary Challenge to be held in Auckland in August.

Charlotte Taylor and Olivia Caird have been on a culinary roller coaster in recent weeks.

The Whanganui High School Year 12 students recently won the annual omelette contest held at UCOL, with Olivia gaining individual first place for her sweet raspberry omelette.

As if that was not enough of a feather in their chef hats, they went on to bring home one gold and three silver medals from the Taranaki Hospitality Competition last week.

Teacher Linda Hardcastle said they did themselves and the school proud because the competition was very high-pressure.

"They had 90 minutes to prepare four entrees and four mains, which had to include specified ingredients," she said.

Despite having problems with a pasta machine while preparing ravioli blette bleu (ravioli filled with silver beet, bacon and blue cheese, served with parmesan, spring onion cream sauce with a drizzle of truffle oil, and toasted pine nuts) the girls triumphed. They put in about 120 hours of preparation and were mentored by Big Orange chef Dean Wong.

And it is not over yet - they will compete in the National Secondary Schools Culinary Challenge to be held in Auckland in August. Charlotte said she would like to be a chef while Olivia thought she might study food science.