National Secondary Schools Challenge and the New Zealand Culinary Journey
NSSCC
The National Secondary Schools Culinary Challenge is an annual event run by the Culinary Arts Development Trust. The competition is designed to promote the next generation of culinary talent, provide career pathways for students and to foster relationships between secondary schools and the hospitality industry.
Each team entering the regional event is competing for a place at the National Final where each of the eight regional winning teams will travel to Auckland to participate in a live cook off and experience the New Zealand Culinary Journey the following day. Follow us on facebook to hear more about NSSCC 2025.
The process:
The school enters a regional event by 9th June 2025.
The eight winning regional school teams will be announced on 9th June 2025. Regional School winners each receive a prize package worth over $1,000.
Regional school finalists compete in NSSCC Grand Final 28th August 2025.
Winner announced at NSSCC Awards dinner 28th August. Prizes worth over $12,000 will be awarded.
Regional Event Criteria
Click here for entry information.
A team of two (2) students is to develop and produce an Entrée that can be made in 45 minutes.
Two (2) identical portions of this dish must be made and presented in the time frame.
The dish MUST include Silver Fern Farms Lamb Loin and NZ grown Kumara as the hero of the dish. Other ingredients to include: Anchor™ Food Professionals dairy products and Rescued Kitchen Products in the dish.
Closing date for regional entries is: Friday 9th June 2025
Winners of each region will be announced on: Monday 23rd June 2025
Regional winners prize package; TBC
The eight (8) regional winning schools will each receive:
A $500 credit from Bidfood to assist with the purchase of ingredients for training.
Six Silver Fern Farms Lamb Loins to use in training for the National Final.
The two students and their teacher will receive a Chef Jacket to wear for the National Final and Awards Dinner.
A subsidy towards travel to Auckland, if required.
Accommodation for the team and their teacher for 1-2 nights.
Team tickets for the NSSCC Awards Dinner on 28th August 2025.
Attend the New Zealand Culinary Journey on 29th August 2025.
In addition, the winning team will receive an Anchor™ Food Professionals Scholarship. Details TBC
The 2025 NSSCC National Grand Final. Watch this space...
Click here for entry information.
The NSSCC National Final will be held at on Thursday 28th August 2025.
The NSSCC Awards Presentation
* Medals and Certificates to all Finalists.
* Presentation to Team Managers [Teachers].
* Best Main Dish Video: A Moffat E23M3 oven – value $3,500.
* Four Scholarships.: Equipment Starter Packs valued at $500 to assist four students on their culinary career in 2023.
* Winning School receives:
- A Moffat E23M3 oven – value $3,500.
- $1,000 Bidfood Credit to the School account.
* Winning Students.: Each student receives a $500 Pressie card.
Total prize package is over $12,000.
The New Zealand Culinary Journey
The New Zealand Culinary Journey was created to give students a taste of life in the world of a professional chef.
Organised by the New Zealand Culinary Development Trust, and supported by the Hospitality Training Trust, this event provides students the chance to meet some of New Zealand's top chefs, ask questions and watch them at work.
Students also get the the opportunity to take a tour of a busy hospitality kitchen, watch a masterclass and taste some of the best food in the country. They will be able to talk to food and hospitality professionals to get real insight into this challenging and satisfying profession.