One Tree Hill team takes the biscuit

One Tree Hill inspired the team from its namesake college to crown their apricot biscuit and chocolate sauce tower. Photo / Dean Purcell

One Tree Hill College may rank a few deciles below Auckland Grammar, but its superiority in making biscuit towers is undisputed.

The opening day of the Food Show got off to a messy start as the Penrose high school defeated its rivals in a contest to create the tallest and most ridiculous culinary creation.

The Food Show features food, wine and beer stalls from local producers at the ASB Showgrounds in Greenlane. It runs until Sunday.

Contestants yesterday had 20 minutes to construct their towers out of apricot supremes and chocolate sauce in the Baking Theatre, one of the main attractions of the event.

One Tree Hill student Raydon Tanefasi said the One Tree Hill-inspired topping "gave us the extra centimetres we needed".

The Baking Theatre will run more competitions, including a cupcake-eating contest, during the show.

The main attractions of the event are the cooking classes hosted by New Zealand chefs such as Simon Gault, Julie le Clerc and Alison Holst.

Mr Gault said his class would focus on teaching home chefs quick, simple recipes with "5 per cent of magic" to impress dinner guests.

After walking every aisle in the showgrounds, Mr Gault said his favourite tastings were manuka salt and parmesan creams.