Residential College of the Year Cooking Competition 2016

On Thursday the 10th of November the eighth annual Residential College of the Year Cooking Competition was held at the University of Otago’s own ISB Link, showcasing the talents of Dunedin’s Residential College chefs. Eight teams of two chefs faced off, rushing to create the best meal possible in 70 minutes – two course and two portions, using a few mystery ingredients: blue cod, tofu and beef fillet. As an added bonus, chefs must use a mystery mandatory ingredient, revealed to be coffee beans.

Winning chefs Kerry Varcoe and Richard Fuentes from Hayward College took first place with a blue cod and kumara puree dish, complemented with mushroom, spinach and an assortment of spring vegetables. Dessert was a baked egg custard-filled Leche flan with caramel ice cream, plus coffee using the mandatory beans.

In second place were Chloe Cousins and Leonile Policarpio from Cumberland College, followed by Brian Galvin and Casey Henry from Aquinas College in third place.

The whole event was a great, family-friendly celebration of culinary talent, with beautiful margarine sculptures by talented chef Kevin Strange on display as well as cupcake decorating competitions for both kids and adults. Spectators could take a guess at the weight of hams and turkeys for a chance to win them for themselves, or participate in the always-popular wild food tasting competition, featuring pheasant, eel and wallaby amongst others.

As well as providing some much need levity at the end of exams, the competition is a great way to put the spotlight on the chefs and kitchen staff throughout Dunedin who keep the city’s students well fed and contribute to the University of Otago experience.

Thank you to everyone who came along to support the chefs, and to judges Tony Hepinstall (Head Chef Tutor, Otago Polytechnic), Greg Piner (Executive Chef, Vault 21, Prohibited Smoke House) and Adrian Lowrey (Hospitality Service Manager, University Union) for donating their time and expertise.

Southern Hospitality is very proud to once again sponsor this great event alongside Otago University and Kaan’s Catering Supplies.