Cambridge boy wins TVNZ Good Morning Kids Cook Off
Nicholas Brockelbank, who has muscular dystrophy, appeared live on television when he cooked up a storm of admiration during the three hour show.
TVNZ ran the Kids Cook Off competition for contestants aged between seven and 12. As well as the title of champion there was $7000 worth of prize to be won.
Nicholas, who has just released his second cook book which he sells to make money for charity, was entered into the competition by family friends who thought he would be great and offered to film the entry video.
Contestants had to send in a one-minute video of them cooking a main dish that would be ready to eat in 15 minutes.
Nicholas made a dish from his new cook book, couscous kedgeree, and his entry was selected from the many TVNZ received, and he was chosen as one of their nine semi-finalists who joined the show via Skype.
For the semi-finals Nicholas had to instruct presenter Brendon Pongia through the steps of making the couscous meal. Nicholas was then selected for the finals by a combination of votes from the judging panel and audience voting.
Nicholas’ mum, Chris, said TVNZ arranged to fly them both down to Wellington where they stayed in the prestigious Bolton Hotel.
“They were very accommodating regards Nicholas’ needs, checking several times beforehand what arrangements would need to be made and even booked a wheelchair-friendly room at the hotel,” Chris said.
Nicholas said the hotel and restaurant were amazing. The chef at the Bisque on Bolton, Steve Morris, came out to see Nicholas and offered him a tour of the kitchens. Nicholas gave them a copy of his cookbook and got this comment from the team at Bisque on Bolton on his website.
“We love your cookbook! You are truly an inspirational young man. The couscous kedgeree recipe sounds so yummy, we will be giving it a go in the kitchen.”
All three finalists on the television show were boys and Nicholas was joined in the studio by Oliver Cowan (11) and Hugh Spence (9).
Nicholas and his mum Chris both agreed the television studios were fantastic and very well organised. They said all the staff were warm and welcoming and it was not too nerve wracking when the live show started because the presenters had been in earlier to meet everyone and have a dress rehearsal.
On finale day Nicholas instructed presenter Sarah Bradley how to cook his broccoli and chicken pasta dish. Nicholas said it went very well apart from a problem with the water not boiling fast enough for the pasta but the judges were impressed with the flavours.
The three chefs that made up the judging panel were; Simon Holst, Anthony Shone and masterchef winner Brett McGregor. Brett’s son Jack was assisting the judges and gave Nicholas’ main dish 10/10 and ate it all.
The finalists were then asked to cook one of the chef’s recipes that they had not seen before. Anthony Shone’s challenge dish for Nicholas and Sarah was French toast, made with honey, mascarpone and caramelised bananas.
After tasting the dish Anthony announced “Top marks, mate I’m really impressed”. He said it was some of the nicest French toast he’d ever had and said only his mum’s was a little bit better.
At the end of the show Nicholas had the highest marks from the judges and when audience votes were tallied he was announced the winner.
Presenter Sarah Bradley said, “The look on Nicholas’ face when it was announced that he had won was the most moving and special moment on the show. He was charming, modest and very genuine. He is a very special young boy and entrepreneurial and he will go far”.
Nicholas said he feels proud about his achievement and is excited about his future as a young chef.
Nicholas seems to have been a big hit with the audience, in the studio and at homes around New Zealand. At the end of the show Nicholas said lots of people in the audience asked for their photograph to be taken with him.
The website has received lots of positive comments since the show and the Good Morning facebook page has had viewers requesting how they can get Nicholas’ cook book. Viewer, Pono Raukawa said, “Well done young Nicholas you are a great inspiration for all our young people”.
Several Good Morning fans agreed that he is a future master chef and viewer Nicky Cranswick said, “What a star in the making! Give him a spot every school holiday on Good Morning.”
Chris Brockelbank said she was impressed with how cool and collected Nicholas was.
“I’m constantly in awe of Nicholas and everything he achieves. This competition has nurtured his passion for cooking, and makes what he does even more worthwhile.”
Chris said Nicholas has had a very busy Easter holidays and will have lots of things to take into school to share when he goes back.
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