Hat's off as EIT students serve up silver

The proof may have been in the pudding for two Eastern Institute of Technology students who won silver medals at the Nestle Toque d'Or national culinary student competition on Monday.
Adam Lambert, 22, and Jayden Winterburn, 21, won the silverware in the overall "Golden Hat" category after an intense live-kitchen cook-off against 11 other teams at Auckland's ASB Showgrounds.
Teams had 2 hours to prepare and serve six covers of a three-course meal. The competing student chefs were judged on preparation, hygiene, presentation, recipe development, taste and service.
The duo impressed a panel of at least 18 judges with a salmon entree and main course of bone marrow sausage, sirloin steak and jerusalem artichoke puree.
But it may have been the dessert course, requiring dry ice to prepare, that caught the eye of the judges.
Their caramel mousse cake dessert with couverture cream, peanut ganache and buttermilk coconut gelato in the competition was the menu highlight for Jayden, who said "it is like nothing you would have tasted before and you won't find in any recipe books".
The pair had not yet received comments from the judging table, but the silver award meant their overall score was between 80 and 90 per cent.
Success has come after three months of hard work for the pair who have been serving up their menu at EIT's Scholars Restaurant to ensure a flawless execution in the competition.
Team member Laura McKay, 18, also received a silver medal for her restaurant service.
She served the meals, designed the table setting, polished every piece of cutlery and glassware and then impressed diners with her menu knowledge and table-side charm.
EIT front of house trainer Celia Kurta said Ms McKay flourished at the competition.
This year's judges included Auckland SkyCity executive chef Mark Wylie and New Zealand Chefs Association president Anita Sarginson.
Event organiser Pip Duncan said the judges were not an easy bunch to impress, "but once again the students surprised the panel this year with their professionalism and creativity".
The team from Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology was the overall winner, for the 13th time.