Win makes Te Awamutu Oma proud of her grandson

Te Awamutu College home economics HOD Maree Letford is proud of her grandson's culinary achievements.

When he was at primary school, Zavier Letford spent hours cooking in the Te Awamutu College food rooms after school.

His Oma Maree Letford was, and still is, a food technology teacher.

Zavier would arrive after school with recipe books and they would cook together.

He is now Year 13 at Te Awamutu College and he still loves to cook.

Mrs Letford recently had the joy of watching him win a cooking competition with his classmate Jorja Ashmore.

Zavier and Jorja sliced, fried and garnished their way to the top in the Waikato Culinary Fare and won the Waikato College Challenge Team Skills.

Jorja Ashmore, 17, competes at the recent Waikato Culinary Fare.

Their success grants them entry into the National Culinary Fare in Auckland next month.

The challenge involved cooking and serving four portions of an entrée, main course and dessert.

Zavier Letford, 17, competes at the Waikato Culinary Fare.

One portion was for judging and one portion for presentation.

The other two portions were served to guests by Te Awamutu College Year 12 student Morgan McKenzie who was front of house.

Their entrée was a pumpkin, caramelised leek and feta quiche served with blue cheese cream and ash pretzels.

The main dish was a roast chicken breast served with pea custard, beetroot puree and Pommes Dauphine - mashed potato folded into choux pastry and deep fried - and Jus Gras.

For dessert was a rice pudding panna cotta with poached rhubarb.

The pair's success was a happy moment for Mrs Letford, who has worked at the school for 21 years.

"I was extremely proud," she says.

This year is the first time Zavier has taken up food technology as a subject.

He's better known for his rugby success - he is a front rower in the Te Awamutu College first XV.

Zavier Letford is in the Te Awamutu College first XV.

"He's usually famous for rugby," Mrs Letford says.

"So it's nice to see him recognised for cooking."

Jorja says the dishes were inspired by MasterChef recipes and the help of teacher Will Cawkwell.

She says they spent many hours preparing for the competition.

Te Awamutu College students Jorja Ashmore and Zavier Letford will represent the Waikato at the National Culinary Fare in Auckland next month.

The pair are now busy practising for the nationals where they will cook the same entree and main, in only 90 minutes.

But there's still more preparation to do, Jorja says.

Teachers Will Cawkwell and Maree Letford know next month's competition will be fierce.

They say the students need to show attitude and a hunger to win.