Cook Islands team wins 3 medals in NZ’s premier culinary competition
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A team of culinary students from the Cook Islands has won three medals at the prestigious Nestlé Toque d’Or competition
in Auckland.
The three students from the Cook Islands Tertiary Institute in Rarotonga were the only international team invited to
participate in the competition for culinary students aged under 25, from 11 New Zealand tertiary training institutions.
Nestlé Toque d’Or is New Zealand’s most prestigious culinary and restaurant service student competition. A Cook Islands
team has competed at this event since 2011.
Angela Taoro was awarded a Silver Medal for her front of house service, while fellow team members Dayna Tuiravakai and
Teraitua Cuthers-Foxhorn, each received a Bronze Medal in the cooking category.
Taa Pera, Hospitality Tutor, who travelled with the team, said it was a great privilege to represent the Cook Islands at
the competition and to take their combined culinary and service abilities to the international stage. The event had been
“seriously competitive and highly professional” and the team was delighted with their medals, which, she said,
demonstrated the high quality of their abilities and skills.
The team had spent months preparing and perfecting the cooking and serving of a three course meal for six, each dish
using a Nestlé product.
The competition was held at the ASB Showground in Auckland, followed by an awards dinner and medal presentation.
The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation was a major sponsor of the team.
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