Young chef wins three awards

By Frank Neill

Onslow College alumna Michelle Burling-Claridge came away with three top awards at the International IIHM Young Chef Olympiad global culinary event held in India.

The New Zealand representative won the top ambassador, best hygiene and sustainable practices awards.

Michelle finished fifth out of the 50 representatives of the countries who competed in the Young Chef Olympiad.

“It’s been a very successful trip and I am very proud of Michelle’s achievements,” says Whitireia and WelTec/ Te P kenga hospitality tutor

Frank Prskawetz, who trained and accompanied Michelle.

“In a nutshell: 28,000km on the plane in just over a week with very little sleep but plenty of lovely food and many new friendships made with students and mentors from over 50 countries!”

“We are immensely proud of Michelle, our programmes and our tutorial kaimahi (team members) which continue to demonstrate world class status, and produce excellent chefs,” says Mark Oldershaw, Manahaut , Executive Director, at Whitireia and WelTec/ Te P kenga.

Aged 21, Michelle is a Level 5 Diploma in Hospitality Management student at Whitireia and WelTec /Te P kenga.

She has already completed programmes in bakery, cookery and hospitality at WelTec.

Michelle is currently working at Hippopotamus restaurant at the QT Hotel in Wellington, and hopes the Young Chef Olympiad will be a stepping stone to further work and travel overseas.