Nestle Toque d'Or Judges Announced

Nestlé Toque d'Or Judges Announced

Sixteen of the country's top chefs and culinary professionals have been confirmed as judges of this year's premier student culinary competition - NestléToque d'Or.

NestléToque d'Or Event Manager, Pip Duncan, said the panel of judges had been drawn from leading restaurants and hotels around the country.

"They include renown chefs such as Mark Wylie of Soul Bar and Bistro, Auckland, and New Zealand Culinary Team member Jonny Schwass," Pip said.

"The panel will be faced with the challenging task of judging the hospitality and culinary creations of teams drawn from 12 tertiary trainers from around the country. And for the first time ever, the judges will also be responsible for selecting a student to become a member of the New Zealand Culinary Team which will allow them to compete at an international level."

The New Zealand Culinary team comprises a number of the nation's top chefs, and is coached and guided by some of the country's leading industry professionals. In May, the team competed at the prestigious American Culinary Classic in Chicago, winning three bronze medals. They also have their sights set on other international cooking events including ScotHot in Scotland in 2009 and the Singapore FHA Culinary Challenge in 2010.

Pip said teams competing in Nestlé Toque d'Or are made up of two cookery and one restaurant service student.

"They are required to prepare six covers of a three-course meal within two-and-a-half hours," she said.

Students are also scrutinised throughout the event by the judging panel who mark team efforts against stringent criteria including: preparation, hygiene, presentation, taste and service.

Strict time guidelines must also be met and written menus are judged for their use of correct terminology and recipe development.

"The judges in this year's event are a formidable line-up and competing students will really need to keep their cool if they want to earn top marks and a place in the New Zealand Culinary Team."

The Nestlé Toque d'Or competition will take place on 3 September at Auckland's Logan Campbell Centre. Aside from Nestlé FoodServices, other sponsors include PERRIER, NZ Beef and Lamb Marketing Bureau, Akaroa Salmon, vegetables.co.nz and House of Knives.

List of judges

Mark Wylie / Soul Bistro and Bar, Auckland
Jeremy Schmid / Orbit Restaurant, Auckland
Anita Sarginson / Flying Burrito Brothers, Wellington
Paul Jobin / Pure Tastes, Keri Keri
Michael van de Elzen / Molten, Mt Eden, Auckland
Tony Taylor / Fresh Connection, Auckland
Tony Smith / Crowne Plaza, Christchurch
Cobus Klopper / dine by Peter Gordon, Auckland
Jonny Schwass / Sezn Restaurant, Christchurch
Shane Yardley / Euro Restaurant and Bar, Auckland
Richard Hingston / Crowne Plaza, Christchurch
Andy Gibb / Christchurch Convention Centre, Christchurch
Ric Bidgood / Consultant, Auckland
Adam Cunningham / Treehouse Group, Wellington
Brian Bowie / Crowne Plaza, Christchurch
Rinus Pope / Intercontinental Hotel, Wellington

ENDS

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