Talented east Auckland twin sisters have demonstrated their mastery of cooking to take out the prestigious 2025 New Zealand Secondary Schools Culinary Challenge (NSSCC).
Year 13 Botany Downs Secondary College pupils Kate and Georgia Sole wowed the judges with their exceptional skills, creativity, organisation, hygiene, and teamwork, taking out the top spot in the highly competitive national event staged on August 28.
“The NSSCC is an annual competition that brings together the best young culinary talent from across Aotearoa,” Botany Downs Secondary College head of food technology Angie Thomson says.
“Teams of two students compete in regional heats, preparing a restaurant-quality entrée in just 45 minutes.
“This year’s challenge featured Silver Fern Farms lamb loin and New Zealand-grown kumara as the hero ingredients.
“They must have also included a Kapiti-branded product, one New Zealand-grown green vegetable, one Rescued Kitchen, Kapiti- and Anchor-branded product, with a strong focus on sustainability, seasonality, and presentation.
“For the national final, they add a dessert dish featuring a choice of kiwifruit or apple, a sauce that includes another fruit, Whittaker’s peanut chocolate, and a Kapiti-and Anchor-branded product. They must prepare four portions of each dish in 100 minutes.”
Thomson says Kate and Georgia’s winning NSSCC entry not only impressed the judges with its flavour and finesse, but also demonstrated their deep understanding of culinary techniques and local produce.
Their victory earned them a prize package valued at over $12,000, including professional kitchen equipment, scholarships, and industry experiences.
As national champions, the twins also took part in the NZ Culinary Journey, a unique opportunity to learn from top chefs, explore professional kitchens, and gain insight into careers in hospitality.
“Their success is a testament to their hard work, passion, and the support of our food technology department,” Thomson says.
“Congratulations Kate and Georgia – you’ve made us incredibly proud!”
