Each week students from Auckland secondary schools spend the day studying with Auckland Hotel and Chefs Training School.
The Year 12 and 13 students chose to study cookery at a tertiary because they love food and many are considering a career in the hospitality industry.
Jazmine Fa’asu and Aiaraisa Ioane are both Year 13 students at Kelston Girls’ College and they enjoyed their time so much at the chefs’ school in Year 12 that they returned for another year.
Their chefs’ school day starts with theory work, demonstrations and videos about the new cooking skill they will practice that day.
For example, they learned the process for making choux pastry in the classroom and then it was into the kitchen for hands-on experience.
The skill is broken down into stages and the students are expected to do everything from the prep work, to cooking and cleaning up the kitchen at the end of the day.
Jazmine says: “We like to challenge ourselves and it is all good experience. Every Friday we learn something new.”
The students sample what they have made, which is often food they may never have enjoyed at home or with their friends.
Of course, they are very popular when they take home their culinary creation and expertise to make something for their families.
Both students are interested in careers in the hospitality industry and the careers academy experience will help them decide their future direction.
