Olive cooks up a win at competition

Published date05 August 2022
Publication titleRotorua Weekender
The Toi Ohomai Culinary Arts student was crowned the North Island regional winner of the Nestle Golden Chef Hat competition last Thursday

She will now prepare to take on the best young chefs from New Zealand and Australia at the grand final in Melbourne.

Olive says her passion for cooking spurred her decision to study at Toi Ohomai and she hasn’t looked back.

“As a Filipino student it’s unusual for culinary to be an ideal future but my family supported me after seeing how eager I am with cooking.

“I’m really enjoying my course. I am very lucky to be trained by knowledgeable and passionate tutors.”

Olive says her journey to get through the regional heat was nerve-racking, and filled with practice, disappointment, and satisfaction. She struggled to put her menu together and focus on the challenge.

“I had amazing support and encouragement from my tutors and mentors Tikwang Tan and Jonathan Chemis. I had to change my mindset completely.

“Next thing I know, I did well on my third practice run; then I did a trial while in class and for our last run it just worked.”

Olive’s dedication paid off and she rewrote her work plan several times, to the point she had memorised it.

“Without support from my mentors at Toi Ohomai I would never have achieved anything close to that plate.”

Olive dished up a pork medallion and tomato pork ragout, gnocchi, and sauteed silverbeet for...

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