Kaiapoi High School is proud to congratulate Year 12 Hospitality students Ella McNally-Cummins and William Hings, who have been named the Tasman, Canterbury and Nelson Regional Winners of the 2026 National Secondary Schools’ Culinary Challenge (NSSCC). Their beef entrée earned them a place in the NSSCC National Grand Final in Auckland this August.
As regional winners, Ella and William will now represent Kaiapoi High School and the Canterbury region at the National Finals on 27 August 2026 in Auckland, where they will compete against seven other regional champion teams from around New Zealand. The students will prepare and present four identical portions of their award-winning entrée and will also develop and produce a dessert for the national competition.
This achievement reflects many months of planning, testing, refining recipes and developing presentation skills. We are incredibly proud of the commitment, teamwork and professionalism shown by both students throughout the competition process. We wish Ella and William the very best as they prepare for Auckland and look forward to following their journey at the National Finals. Congratulations on an outstanding achievement and for representing Kaiapoi High School so well.
Ngā Mihi Nui
Miemie Vermeulen, Hospitality Teacher
