Crusaders cook up a storm at Ara

_{Game on - competition but no fowl play as chicken dishes prepared in Ara kitchens} 

Ara Institute of Canterbury rolled out the welcome mat for its soon-to-be neighbours - the Crusaders Super Rugby squad this week.

With One NZ Stadium set to open in Autumn just a block from Ara’s central city campus, the team grabbed an early chance to check out the facilities.

Ara’s cookery school kitchens proved the perfect venue for a pre-season nutrition session with 40 players (including veteran Crusaders and academy recruits) tackling a chicken-and-rice cook-off. On the menu? Chicken five ways served with five vegetables and plenty of banter.

New Crusaders nutritionist Bella Digby said they took on the challenge hungrily.

“It’s been great to mix up some nutrition and cooking tips with a getting-to-know-you session at the same time. Hopefully they’ll have picked up some skills that they can transfer to home – and put a healthy meal on the table.”

The team was welcomed by Stanley Taua, Pouwhakahaere o Te Puna Wānaka and briefed on health and safety tips by Ryan Marshall, Portfolio Manager of Hospitality and Business Services at Ara.

“We’re delighted to host the Crusaders here for this session and hope to see plenty of them when they arrive in the neighbourhood,” Marshall said.

“I know some of the team members are into their coffee so a barista session is something we could cater for easily with our facilities here at Ara and our barbering and massage students are always keen to have volunteers to practice their skills on.”

Marshall couldn’t resist putting his tutor hat on - coaching a few of the ten competing teams on knife skills and garnishing as they battled it out.
Digby said the space and modern facilities at Ara were ideal for the challenge.

“It’s hard to find a commercial kitchen to get all the boys involved. Having something like this so close to the new stadium is awesome and Ara has been very welcoming. It’s been great to get to know the facilities we’ll have close to home.”

_{The taste test begins}

Head Coach Rob Penney stopped by to join the judging panel with the prizes going to a butterflied chicken breast with a delicate cucumber garnish and marinated chicken dish with petite vegie skewers.

The winners got to take home some bonus chicken and all-important coffee vouchers before heading off to an afternoon gym session.

Full-time score: great food, big smiles and a sparkling kitchen. With Crusaders as neighbours, Ara was the winner on the day.

_{Judges confer (left) and winning teams (right)}