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I teach Level 3 Cookery, which is our basic introduction to professional cookery here at North Tec. I love introducing the students to their first foray into the professional kitchen. I like that I get to 'set them up for success' as we say in our industry.
I am originally from Washington, DC, but have now called Ngunguru on the Tutukaka Coast home for the past six and a half years. I have worked in fine dining restaurants in Washington, DC as well as for one of the US's largest seafood chains. I have worked for two of Washington, DCs premiere catering companies creating and planning events for the Washington DC elite. Teaching is where I have found my passion as I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience with my students.
I am passionate about sourcing local ingredients and supporting Northland's farmers and fisheries. I am also passionate about furthering the hospitality industry here in Northland by training cooks who are workplace ready. I am an avid golfer in my spare time and enjoy living on the Tutukaka Coast with my husband and little girl.
Certificate in Professional Cookery - L'Academie de Cuisine, USA BA Psychology New Zealand Chef's Association Former member of Women Chefs & Restaurateurs in USA Former member International Special Events Society in US
My brother studied cheffing here and he’s gone on to do really well. This training has a good reputation and it’s...
“I was a mechanical engineer for 12 years running and programming machines but when the industry started to slow down it was time for a change of career for me. Friends suggested I get into cooking and now that I’m into it, I realize engineering and cooking oddly have a skill set in common. You’re controlling heat, working with different steels, need good hand-eye co-ordination, and you have to keep your tools sharp.”
“My brother studied cheffing here and he’s gone on to do really well. This training has a good reputation and it’s local. The best part of the course is the good vibe of the people and the environment. You’re made to feel welcome and the tutors treat you as an equal or a colleague rather than as a student. They get better outcomes by doing that so it works well both ways.”
“Baking is a challenging part of the course for me because I’m too rough and knock too much air out of cake mixes, but it’s also the area I want to get involved in.”
“This qualification will enable me the freedom to travel and work. My first priority is to get full time work and save. I’m new to the industry so I’ll have to start at the bottom but if you show you’re keen and you’re onto your work, you can progress fast. I’d love a baker’s job and eventually want to have my own baking business.”
“Having worked with people in the industry that had come through NorthTec’s Cookery programme, I have seen first-hand...
I have two kids and I thought it may be too late for me to study, but as soon as I saw the pamphlet for this course...
“I’ve always had a passion for food because my Mum was a good cook and my Grandad had a café in Malaysia. I’ve also prepared food for our church since I came to New Zealand 10 years ago, and I have a cup cake stall at the market in Dargaville. I have two kids and I thought it may be too late for me to study, but as soon as I saw the pamphlet for this course everything fell into place.”
“I applied directly, doors opened and I love it. I’m learning new techniques, I enjoy the campus environment, and the tutors and other students are so supportive. I had to go back to Malaysia when my Mum passed away and the tutors found a way to make that possible for me. We have several international students and so I’m ‘mumsie’ to them. They come to me for advice, and in turn I’m learning from the other Kiwi students.”
“The only challenge for me is the commute from Dargaville four days a week and juggling that with family, but my husband is a huge support and helps make this possible. It’s so worth it because I’m learning so much about food and food safety, and the course sets me up for my vision.”
“I want to get a job in a commercial kitchen after this course, and longer term I want to create my own café that is a place where I can tell people the story of the food. It will be about fresh healthy eating and Asian food fusion.”
Learning here is so different than in China because there they tell you how to solve the problem. Here you learn how...
“Every day after school as a child, I would watch Mum making food, then as an adult I was working in food technology in China. I wanted to change from checking on food, to learning how to cook it. I have a family member and a friend here and they helped me check out courses. Auckland was too big and I wanted be in a quiet town so I chose NorthTec.”
“Learning here is so different than in China because there they tell you how to solve the problem. Here you learn how to solve the problem yourself. I love deciding on and planning the menu and choosing my on dish to go on it. I also like the international mix and support of the other students and the calm manner of the tutors – especially in helping me with English.”
“Getting this qualification will give me more choices. I already work in a café in town, and when I finish I want to find work in a restaurant. When I have more experience and have learnt more, I’d love to own a café.”
I love the people here. Anyone who is into hospitality is a certain sort of weird that I really enjoy. It’s part of...
“I love the people here. Anyone who is into hospitality is a certain sort of weird that I really enjoy. It’s part of who we are. I was going to get into hairdressing but I realized I love cooking more. I also realized that within hospitality I prefer back-of-the-house.”
“Getting to eat everything I make is a stand-out of the course along with the students and the absolutely amazing tutors. The tutors are great people with a huge amount of industry experience. The fact that we do food services here for different groups and events is a cool way to get real customer experience.”
“The work load at level 5 is a bit of a challenge but I like a challenge and it keeps me occupied outside of class hours. I always did well at school, but here we can go beyond what is expected or think outside the square and get rewarded for it.”
“Management and business are part of our level 5 content which really suits me because after this I’m keen to go on and do an accounting course. I’ll then get some work experience, but my dream is to run a chain of restaurants in New Zealand and Australia. They would provide a desert café from 8am until 4pm and then become a restaurant from 4pm until midnight. This place and this course are giving me the knowledge, skills and confidence I need to step up and step out.”
Iwi – Te Aupouri
Hapū – Ngati Kahu (Whangaroa)
The best part of doing the course is learning things that I didn't know existed. We get a window into other cultures.
“I was choosing between studying cookery or social work and actually, cookery chose me. I looked into this programme, read student profiles and realised cookery was second nature to me.”
“I’m from a big family so as soon as I was high enough to reach the bench, I was part of food preparing for family gatherings and weddings. As a young adult, people asked me to help cater for events so I already had some experience and really enjoyed that experience. I therefore decided to get the qualification to back it.”
“The best part of doing the course is learning things that I didn't know existed. It has expanded my horizons, including learning French cookery terminology and history. Key influencers, such as Auguste Escoffier (from France), have developed cuisine and cookery as we know it today. We get a window into other cultures. And our tutor is amazing. He has a calm and humble approach in the kitchen and I aspire to be more like him.”
“The real surprise – and delight – to me is that a couple of tutors have chosen me to work side-by-side with them at their personal events. One was being part of a prize for the winner to have two chefs come to their house and cook for them, and the other was to cook for a birthday function where a High Court judge was present. I love that the experience is exposing me to different situations.”
“Another surprise was our tutor’s imaginative intro into level 4. We had a ‘get back into it day’ where we played cricket and had a shared lunch of food we all brought that originated from our culture or our Mum’s home cooking. We have a diverse group with six international students and we all have different strengths to bring to the table. We love to share our knowledge and learn from each other.”
“I want to complete the Diploma in Cookery, get some more work experience, then travel, eat and explore different cuisine all around the world. We’ve just done the City and Guild’s Food Safety Certificate which is internationally recognised, and I managed to gain a distinction so that’s a plus for my CV.”
“My diploma will give me a ticket to life. A qualification gives you somewhere to step from and to step to. Thank you so much to all my inspirational tutors.”
I loved the atmosphere here, and getting to make the coffee in the café – complete with perks.
“I decided to do the course because I couldn’t picture myself doing anything else as interesting as hospitality. I’ve always cooked quite a lot at home so it grew from there. I thought I’d have to go to Whangarei to do an official cheffing course but I’ve now just finished the 12-week Food and Beverage Service course here.”
“I loved the atmosphere here, and getting to make the coffee in the café – complete with perks. I was the only guy in our class and found the other committed students really enjoyable to be around.”
“By getting this ticket it’s a lot easier to get a job in the field because you can really get thrown in the deep end out there, especially if you move to a new place. I’m currently casually employed in the kitchen at a local café and my next step is to go on and do level 3 at Whangarei.”
“Eventually I’d love to be a chef or work front-of-house because you can travel a lot with those skills. And it’s human work that won’t ever be taken over by machines.”
Another aspect I enjoy is that we learn how to train others, so we work with school students who are keen to learn. I...
“I’m at the beginning of a new career now and I want at the top of a pile of candidates when I’m applying for a new job. I’m a doer, so I like that you accomplish so much in this course in a short time. I haven’t studied for years because I’ve been a stay at home Mum, and I find the focus and commitment from both myself and some of the other students is really refreshing and very satisfying.”
“Another aspect I enjoy is that we learn how to train others, so we work with school students who are keen to learn. I’m surprised at how much the tutor goes out of her way to expose us to employers and the industry.”
“I’m hoping that getting this qualification will dramatically impact my life, and I want to get a good job when I finish with hours that suit my family commitments. I’d then love to go on and study cookery later when I get more time.”
I’m a people person and my nature is approachable and gentle so I think my hospitality manner is natural.
“I’m a people person and my nature is approachable and gentle so I think my hospitality manner is natural.”
“This course is a gateway to more interaction with different types of people. I didn’t know many people here but the other students and tutors made me feel comfortable. A café is opening here at our campus and I’m hoping to get on board there. The experience could lead me to other places.”
“At the moment I’m just finding my way but I trust the process to unfold. I love to meet new people and tell them about our area here and that feels like part of my future in hospitality.”
I previously loved to bake cakes but as my horizons have broadened, my passion has moved from bakery to butchery. I’m...
“I adore food – and I love learning how it’s made so other people can enjoy the best of it too. Having done level 4, I’m back now to get the diploma because it will give me more opportunities for work and a better life for my growing family.”
“I previously loved to bake cakes but as my horizons have broadened, my passion has moved from bakery to butchery. I’m a carnivore, I can cook a mean steak, and I love learning about the cuts to the extent that I’m wondering about doing a butchery apprenticeship.”
“With international students in our class, the pace is a bit slower sometimes because of language, but they’re keen and bring a different perspective to the mix. The tutors here are fantastic and keep us all enthusiastic and interested. Sharlene is awesome and Amanda rocks!”
“I’m keen for work experience when I get my diploma, and working in a butchery shadowing the staff for a while would be great learning. The dream for me is to run a family restaurant that gives the whole family a comfortable affordable experience and exposure to delicious food.”
Iwi - Ngati Whatua
“Studying at NorthTec is great, especially the location of the campus and the tutors. When you have nice, friendly...
I’ve grown and learnt a lot with my training and ultimately would love to work in a bigger place with more chefs so I...
“I’ve been working here in hospitality since I was 15 years old and had no interest in being a chef until a young passionate chef inspired me as to what is possible. I then started studying, first at level three and then to my level 5 Diploma.” “During my training I particularly loved working with the international students and being exposed to different foods and skills. I was working six days a week in Dargaville all the time I was studying in Whangarei because I didn’t want a student loan, so time management was a real discipline. I finished in late 2016.” “I am now working at the Coasana Restaurant in Te Awamutu. My boss here has taught me a lot about different foods and I feel that I am constantly upgrading my skills.” “I would love to work in a bigger place with more chefs so I can continue to learn on the job and be exposed to food and experiences that are new to me.”
The NorthTec training was exactly what I needed for my work here. I am familiar with the processes and now my...
“I’m working as Demi-Chef de Partie at The Quay in the Town Basin. It is in Cuisine Magazine’s top 100 New Zealand restaurants and one of only two in Northland on that list. It is number one in desserts – and I love making desserts. My tutor told me about this place and I started as a kitchen hand for a month when I was still studying. In that time I was also helping the chefs with prep work, and then I was offered full time work as Commis Chef once I finished my study.”
“Everything from my NorthTec training is relevant here. I loved the course emphasis on a mix of cultures and I was able to research food from my own Indian culture. We got to research then create our own dish, practise and trial it, and if it was good it went on the hospitality service menu. We had practical experience catering for events that involved team work preparing, making, and plating the dishes.”
“The tutors also encouraged us to enter competitions like the Live Dessert competition where we had 60 minutes to make a dessert. Our final level 5 assessment involved three days of making and presenting food, and I was later selected as the representative for the NZQA course assessment interviews.”
“The NorthTec training was exactly what I needed for my work here. I am familiar with the processes and now my confidence has grown a lot. I’ve already created a new dessert that has been added to The Quay’s menu. I love the work here and I’m now starting to explore other areas of the kitchen including making entrees.”
I’ve gone from being painfully shy to being confident enough to enjoy all aspects of hospitality work. The tutors...
“I want my hospitality skills to be universal so that I can adapt to kitchen or front of house, and here at Distinction Hotel I’m getting that experience because I work in reception, the restaurant and the bar.”
Rachel chose a career in hospitality because she is one of 11 children so was used to preparing big meals. “I did some STAR courses at school and NorthTec took me on at a young age, so I graduated before my 19th birthday. Now that I’m out working, I realize how much the tutors took me under their wing and lifted me through the study experience. I was home schooled so my life experience was pretty secluded. I had no confidence and I’d hide behind my hair.”
“I’ve gone from being painfully shy to being confident enough to enjoy all aspects of hospitality work. The tutors really model what’s possible and I’ve learned from them how to be adaptable. When I graduated, I got a job for seven months working as a Commis Chef with some front of house at The Settlers then worked in New Plymouth for a while because my grandmother was unwell down there.”
“When I returned to Whangarei I went around town on foot looking for work and in doing that spoke to the Murray, General Manager here. They had someone leaving who was working in both reception and the restaurant so that gave me an opportunity to test the waters by working in different departments.”
“At first, I struggled because reception involves new skills but I’ve now grown in confidence, thanks to everyone here at Distinction. The whole team has been so understanding and supportive as I've been learning and I’ve now found where I’m going in the industry. I’ll see what unfolds from here.”