TOP COOK: Isis Ihaia, of Wanganui, stars in TV3's Native Kitchen on Saturday afternoons. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 200415WCSMCOOK1
TOP COOK: Isis Ihaia, of Wanganui, stars in TV3's Native Kitchen on Saturday afternoons. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 200415WCSMCOOK1
Isis Ihaia couldn't have asked for a better start to her career.
The Wanganui woman is already a star on TV3's Native Kitchen and has picked up a job in Wanganui after studying cookery at UCOL in 2013-14.
The programme was filmed last year and screens on Saturdays at 4.30pm.
Miss Ihaia responded to the casting call for the show when she was finishing her studies. In Auckland for final selection, she was chosen as one of eight to make the show.
Each episode features a new cuisine challenge but, unlike some cooking shows, doesn't feature elimination.
"It's like a MasterChef bootcamp," Miss Ihaia said.
It is hosted by chef Peter Gordon, also from Wanganui.
Gordon runs the budding chefs through a range of cuisine before they try to create dishes in a similar style. Miss Ihaia said working with Gordon for two weeks had taught her a lot.
The last challenge was to prepare a degustation for 200 people.
"For me, I'm a pretty shy person and watching myself on TV is a bit different." She said she was recognised occasionally on the street.
Previously she had work experience at Wanganui's Essence Catering. Following filming, she picked up work with them.
Essence Catering owner Joe Power said being on Native Kitchen and working with Peter Gordon would have been valuable experience: "She's got a bright future. She's a lovely girl for a start, and she's very keen."
Miss Ihaia worked as a hairdresser before retraining. "I think I just enjoy the reaction from the people when you give them the food that you've made."
