A culinary cluster of Waihī College students competed at the Waikato Culinary Fare on July 2-3 for the Fare’s 21st year. Not only did the young Waihī cooking students cook up a storm, they dominated the medal count.
The two day competition saw more than 400 aspiring chefs from 20 schools and tertiary providers compete and showcase their talent, creativity and passion. The 2026 results for Waihī College were “humbling” for head of department of food technology and hospitality Siobahn Fitzgerald, with her rangatahi sweeping up a total of 10 gold medals, 11 silver medals and eight bronze medals. It was “a huge testament” to the dedication of the young people.
“They particularly shone in their creativity and their organisation and presentation of their dishes. Accepting and taking feedback onboard can be a test to students’ resilience and these girls all worked tirelessly to perfect each element of their dishes,” Siobhan said.
One of the “huge moments” for Siobhan was the number of Top in Class wins that the students collected, she said.
“Out of 13 classes that we were eligible to enter they took out top in 7 of those.”
Ana Whatarau, Ella Troughton and Charisse and Clarisse Mercader were all also awarded top in class for their dishes, winning a total 7 of the 13 events that Waihī competed in. The “dynamic duo” and twin sisters Clarisse and Charrise created dishes heavily influenced by their heritage and took the judges on a mini holiday to the Philippines with their flavours.
They were awarded top of class with their Team Cook.
Charisse also was awarded top for her Healthy lunch dish and Clarisse top for her Cupcakes, Burger and Live Dessert, with Bronze medals for their Mystery box challenge.
“The judges raved about their work in the kitchen, their organisation, teamwork and authentic dishes with a high level of balance and immaculate presentation.”
WAIKATO CULINARY FARE RESULTS: Cupcakes: Clarisse Mercader – Gold with Distinction (a perfect score & Class Winner), Jazmine Jones – Gold; Cold Dessert: Ana Whatarau – Silver, Kendra Wills – Bronze; Cafe Cake: Auriol Stronach – Silver, Meliza Jacob – Silver Shaniah Manawat – Silver; Live Restaurant Classes: Chicken: Cleopatra Huang – Gold, Shaniah Manawat – Bronze; Healthy Lunch: Charisse Mercader – Gold & Class Winner, Cleopatra Huang – Silver; Pizza: Ana Whatarau – Silver, Saffire Walters – Bronze; Mystery Box: Charisse/Clarisse Mercader – Bronze, Ana Whatarau/Cleopatra Huang Merit; Burger: Charisse Mercader – Gold & Class Winner, Clarisse Mercader – Gold, Ana Whatarau – Silver, Meliza Jacobs – Bronze Shaniah Manawat – Bronze; Dessert: Clarisse Mercader – Silver & Class Winner, Ella Troughton – Silver, Kendra Wills – Silver; Dumplings: Ella Troughton – Gold & Class Winner; 2 Course team menu: Charisse/Clarisse Mercader: Gold & Class Winner; Barista: Jazmine Jones – Silver; Volare Toastie: Ana Whatarau – Gold & Class Winner, Kendra Wills – Bronze.
