Ange from NRDA and Dana and her staff from popular local eating spot The Styx created a fun and educational agenda of activities showcasing the different roles in hospitality (kitchen hand, chef, pastry, barista, bartender, manager, waiter, event management and marketing).
Students from local Nelson Tasman high schools got some hands-on experience creating the day’s pizza dough (and then topping it), assisting with the baking, creating mocktails, coffee practice, carrying plates and setting up events.
Next stop was NMIT – where students received a mini campus tour, learnt about the back of house roles and how to get into the industry but also about manaakitanga, the Māori word encompassing all aspects of hospitality.
Culinary Arts Tutor Chris, shared where chocolate comes from and what it looks like before sugar is added to it. Students filled profiteroles with cream cheese filing and coated with chocolate using a spray gun.
Hot and cold drinks were made – coffee using an espresso machine, grinding beans and some coffee art. Students enjoyed their self-made beverages while hearing about the courses and pathways NMIT has on offer.
With great feedback from the students saying they enjoyed the hands-on and practical side of the day, we hope to see them take the next step in their career path!
