SKYCITY Chef Takes it to the World

SKYCITY Chef, Thomas Townsend will join a team of 17 New Zealanders heading to Calgary, Canada to compete in the 2009 Worldskills competition from 1 – 7 September. Worldskills is a skills Olympics, held bi-annually in countries around the world with competitors competing in 40 different categories. Thomas is the only Chef competing in the New Zealand team and was chosen to represent New Zealand after winning a competition in Wellington in 2008.

Thomas has been working for SKYCITY at its Auckland site for 3½ years. He was recently promoted to Demi Chef in the Conventions Centre at SKYCITY, after beginning his career at SKYCITY as an apprentice. Thomas realised that he wanted to become a chef whilst still at school and believes his passion for food comes from his parents who also work in the food industry. He knows the industry well and feels comfortable steering his career through it.

Thomas is thrilled about being able to compete in such an important global event.

“This is a great opportunity to help me develop my career. I am looking forward to competing internationally and taking on the world.”

SKYCITY’s General Manager of Hotels Group Auckland, Simon Jamieson is pleased that Thomas will be competing at this event.

“To see one of our young team members participating in such an internationally-renowned event, shows dedication and a real passion towards his career. We wish Thomas the best of luck.”

The Worldskills competition was established in 1953, as a skills Olympics and each time is held in a different location. This year a 1,000 people from 50 countries will be competing in 40 categories ranging from cabinetmaking to web design. The site for this year’s competition is spread over 80,000sqm, making it an impressively large event.

For more information on the Worldskills competition visit www.worldskills.org.nz.