The Cooking Collective

4 Hours

Explore a variety of night classes and make new and exciting food at NorthTec’s Apprentice Restaurant!

The Cooking Collective is where you can learn to make new and exciting food in the first-rate kitchen facilities of NorthTec’s Apprentice Restaurant!

Open to everyone and anyone, our professional chefs will teach you the tips and tricks of the industry – there is something for everyone to try!

All ingredients are provided, you only need to bring yourself, some friends and laughter!

Indulge yourself with fun & easy hands-on cooking – then, sit back and enjoy what you have prepared!

Entry Requirements

All applicants must:

  • be at least 16 years old at the time the programme commences.
  • be able to understand follow, and respond to instructions given in English.
  • be physically able to complete the programme specific outcomes

All applicants must:

  • be at least 16 years old at the time the programme commences.
  • be able to read, write, and communicate in English at a basic level.
  • be physically able to complete the programme-specific outcomes.

All applicants must:

  • be at least 16 years old at the time the programme commences.
  • be able to read, write, and communicate in English at a basic level.
  • be physically able to complete the programme-specific outcomes.

Applicants for whom English is not a first language must have an IELTS score of 5 with no band score lower than 5; or an accepted international equivalence.

All applicants must:

  • be at least 16 years old at the time the programme commences.
  • be able to read, write, and communicate in English at a basic level.
  • be physically able to complete the programme-specific outcomes.

Applicants for whom English is not a first language must have an IELTS score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5; or an accepted international equivalence.

Intakes & Applications

Dates & Bookings

How to Book

  1. Complete the Registration form for the classes you want to do.
  2. Make your payment to secure your place - Fees must be paid in New Zealand Dollars and can be paid online.
This programme is not open to international students.

Youth Guarantee Fund*

If you are aged 16 to 24, you could study for FREE as part of the government's Youth Guarantee fund. To qualify for the Youth Guarantee fund, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Complete an application for a course that is covered by the Youth Guarantee fund.
  • Be a NZ citizen or permanent resident.
  • Be 16 to 24 years old at the time the course starts. Learners who are 15 years old and hold Ministry approved early leaving exemption from their school may also be eligible. This exemption must be in place before the course starts.

Priority places will be given to students who:

  • have not yet achieved NCEA Level 1 or NCEA Level 2; or
  • have completed a Level 1 or Level 2 qualification through a Youth Guarantee provision programme.

All free study is subject to funding confirmation. Proof of residency status is required. Programme entry criteria may apply. Eligibility for student allowances or student loans may vary. Contact Studylink for more information.

Ultimate Steak Dinner
Whangārei
Ultimate Steak Dinner
Ultimate Steak Dinner
Apprentice Restaurant, 51 Raumanga Valley Road, Whangārei
Dates:
10:00 am–2:00 pm
,
March 31, 2023
March 31, 2023
Dates:
Available to start at regular intervals throughout the year.
Delivery:
Part Time
or
only.
Full Time
only.
.
Short Course
Price:
Fees:
$80
| Fees Free with Youth Guarantee*
International
International Fees:
Class full

Impress your friends and family and learn how to cook the perfect steak!

  • Thick Cut Scotch Fillet
  • Sauce Bordelaise
  • Pommes Puree
  • Haricots Verts Amandine
Proudly delivered in partnership with
.
Vintage Buttercream Cake
Whangārei
Vintage Buttercream Cake
Vintage Buttercream Cake
Apprentice Restaurant, 51 Raumanga Valley Road, Whangārei
Dates:
9:00 am–2:00 pm
,
April 1, 2023
April 1, 2023
Dates:
Available to start at regular intervals throughout the year.
Delivery:
Part Time
or
only.
Full Time
only.
.
Short Course
Price:
Fees:
$80
| Fees Free with Youth Guarantee*
International
International Fees:
Class full

Vintage buttercream cakes are very popular again, so comealong and learn how you can make your own fabulous looking cake to wow yourfamily and friends. In this class you will learn how to make buttercreamsuitable for piping to decorate a beautiful vintage styled cake.

Techniques learnt will include:

  • making pipe-able buttercream
  • ice a cake with butter cream
  • learn different piping skills using different decorating tips
  • Create your own fun vintage piped cake.

You will be supplied with a 6 inch cake to decorate and take home.

Proudly delivered in partnership with
.
Fish Frenzy
Whangārei
Fish Frenzy
Fish Frenzy
Apprentice Restaurant, 51 Raumanga Valley Road, Whangārei
Dates:
10:00 am–2:00 pm
,
April 28, 2023
April 28, 2023
Dates:
Available to start at regular intervals throughout the year.
Delivery:
Part Time
or
only.
Full Time
only.
.
Short Course
Price:
Fees:
$80
| Fees Free with Youth Guarantee*
International
International Fees:
Class full

Learn 4 different methods of cooking fish, raw and cooked applications. 

  • Poke
  • Crudo
  • Crispy Skin with Caper Cream Sauce
  • Baked with Herb Crumb
Proudly delivered in partnership with
.
Plant Based Cooking
Whangārei
Plant Based Cooking
Plant Based Cooking
Apprentice Restaurant, 51 Raumanga Valley Road, Whangārei
Dates:
5:00 pm–9:00 pm
,
May 11, 2023
May 11, 2023
Dates:
Available to start at regular intervals throughout the year.
Delivery:
Part Time
or
only.
Full Time
only.
.
Short Course
Price:
Fees:
$80
| Fees Free with Youth Guarantee*
International
International Fees:
Class full

With veganism on the rise and more and more plant-based products on the market, it’s time to add some plant based dishes to your menus. From Jackfruit to Banana Flowers, Let me show you how easy it is to incorporate these tasty, exciting new ingredients into your culinary repertoire.

Proudly delivered in partnership with
.
Street Food Fusion (Whangarei Ambulance Social Club)
Whangārei
Street Food Fusion (Whangarei Ambulance Social Club)
Street Food Fusion (Whangarei Ambulance Social Club)
Apprentice Restaurant, 51 Raumanga Valley Road, Whangārei
Dates:
,
May 20, 2023
May 20, 2023
Dates:
Available to start at regular intervals throughout the year.
Delivery:
Part Time
or
only.
Full Time
only.
.
Short Course
Price:
Fees:
$80
| Fees Free with Youth Guarantee*
International
International Fees:
Class full
Proudly delivered in partnership with
.
Basic Meat Butchery
Whangārei
Basic Meat Butchery
Basic Meat Butchery
Apprentice Restaurant, 51 Raumanga Valley Road, Whangārei
Dates:
9:00 am–1:00 pm
,
May 27, 2023
May 27, 2023
Dates:
Available to start at regular intervals throughout the year.
Delivery:
Part Time
or
only.
Full Time
only.
.
Short Course
Price:
Fees:
$80
| Fees Free with Youth Guarantee*
International
International Fees:
Class full

Learn the basics of breaking down some larger cuts of beef, lamb and chicken.

Proudly delivered in partnership with
.
Sweet Tooth Satisfaction!
Whangārei
Sweet Tooth Satisfaction!
Sweet Tooth Satisfaction!
Apprentice Restaurant, 51 Raumanga Valley Road, Whangārei
Dates:
9:00 am–1:00 pm
,
June 17, 2023
June 17, 2023
Dates:
Available to start at regular intervals throughout the year.
Delivery:
Part Time
or
only.
Full Time
only.
.
Short Course
Price:
Fees:
$80
| Fees Free with Youth Guarantee*
International
International Fees:
Class full

Come along and have a go at learning some new Dessert skills and techniques!

You will make from scratch a Rich Chocolate Tart served with a Mānuka Honey frozen yoghurt and  a yum Raspberry Meringue Pie with Coconut Macaroon Pastry!

Proudly delivered in partnership with
.
Proudly delivered in partnership with
.

All fees are in New Zealand Dollars and are approximate only - includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF) levy. Unless otherwise stated, the fees shown are for domestic students only. For programmes longer than one academic year in duration, the fees quoted are for the first year. Final study costs depends on a number of factors including the courses you select to study.

Courses and programmes may be cancelled, postponed or have their content or configuration changed from time to time (including during the academic year) at the discretion of NorthTec. See our full Terms and conditions.

Additional Information

About Te Pūkenga

NorthTec is part of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (Te Pūkenga). From 1 October 2022, all references to NorthTec or Northland Polytechnic on this website (and any documentation linked through this website) need to be read as references to Te Pūkenga and its NorthTec business division.

Te Pūkenga brings the Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) and the arranging training activities of certain Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) together to create a national network. This will give learners more choices and flexibility in what, where, and how they learn.

Existing NorthTec ākonga (learners) will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga automatically in the same qualification and will continue to learn in the same way, in the same place, with the same people.

Learners should note that all programmes offered across Te Pūkenga are under review to ensure they are portable, consistent and aligned with the needs of industry and may be changed. Where there are changes to programmes that you have applied to enrol in, you will be notified of these changes.

Key Information for students - Qualification Information from the NZ Government.
Contact us
Need more information or have a question? We're here to help.
Get in touch