Invited guests, including the Beacon, were treated to a restaurant-quality three-course lunch as Trident High School hospitality students showcased skills developed through the school’s Futures Academy.

Prepared in the school’s commercial kitchen, the menu featured a butterscotch kūmara purée with venison entrée, seared snapper with kiwifruit salsa and brown butter broccolini for the main course, and poached pears for dessert.

The students planned and prepared the meal under the guidance of chef Paul Patterson, owner and head chef of Fisherman’s Wharf Café.

Among the guests was Whakatāne Mayor Nandor Tanczos, who praised the food and the students’ professionalism.

“It was fantastic,” Tanczos said.

“They went out of their way to meet my particular dietary requirements. It was delicious.

“The flavours were beautiful, there was a lovely balance, and it was beautifully presented.”

The students are enrolled in the Level 2 Futures Academy Café and Catering course, an introductory hospitality programme now in its second year.

The course develops practical industry skills, including food preparation, customer service, barista training, food safety and cabinet food production.

Deputy principal and course teacher Jenny Mays established the programme in 2025 after gaining accreditation and sought industry involvement to strengthen students’ learning. That led to a partnership with Patterson and the idea of hosting a formal lunch for invited guests.

Patterson demonstrated how to prepare the venison beforehand but said the students took charge on the day.

“Everything else they cooked for the first time today,” he said.

“I didn’t touch a pan. It was all their work.”

Having started his own hospitality career at 15, Patterson said he enjoyed helping young people discover opportunities within the industry.

“If even two students come out of this class with a pathway they can follow after school, that’s fantastic,” he said.

Tanczos said it was encouraging to see businesses supporting rangatahi.

“We also got to talk to some of the students and see their confidence and enjoyment of what they are doing,” he said.

Year 12 student Elena Marxen-Short said the course offered a supportive environment while maintaining high standards.

“There’s not too much pressure to be perfect, but there’s still an expectation of high-quality work,” she said.

Elena plans to attend university and believes the hospitality skills she is gaining will help her secure part-time work while studying.

Fellow student Otto Larsen said the course had helped build his cooking skills and confidence.

“I’ve always wanted to learn how to make coffee because it’s a skill you can take anywhere in the world,” he said. “I love it. It’s so much fun.”

Students in the Café and Catering course also operate a café-style service for staff, offering coffees, paninis and other lunch options for a small charge.

The programme sits alongside several other food-related qualifications available through the Futures Academy, many of which are delivered in partnership with tertiary providers.