Twenty chefs, 10 courses for 450 paying guests over seven nights. It’s the culmination of a year’s work and it’s the icing on the cake. This week, the degustation dinners are a regular on the menu for the region’s fine diners at Scholars Restaurant at EIT. The sell-out series includes one especially themed night that’s part of Hawke’s Bay Tourism’s summer food and wine festival, FAWC! In addition to the meal, these guests receive FAWC! bonus gifts. This year the students put a call out to EIT staff for ideas on regional specialties or foods from around New Zealand. One staff suggestion made it onto the plate. As well as the final year NZ Diploma in Cookery students, those studying for the NZ Certificate in Food and Beverage Service have selected and are serving the wine and beer matches for each course. They also have responsibility for ‘dressing’ the restaurant. “This degustation series follows hot on the heels of our huge catering event at the Hawke’s Bay Wine Awards so it’s a big big week for our students. But it’s the end of their study year so it finishes on a real high,” says Glenn Fulcher, Tourism and Hospitality head of school. And to keep tutors and lecturers on their toes, the junior chefs in the NZ Certificate in Cookery are serving up Christmas bistro lunches over the same period. “It gets pretty manic around here for sure,” says Glenn. “It’s the real thing.” Photo: Loveleen Kaur and Udara Ranasinge plate up the Amuse platters served on Scholars’ terrace to start the evening. Posted: 12 November 2018