STUDENT STORY

Nick Keen

Happy in his new role, Nick has this advice for others considering the degree: “Life’s too short not do what you love – you can do whatever you want in this industry, so long as you have the passion for it!"

Nick Keen

Nick Keen has a culinary career that allows him to express his creative vision, and help influence the chefs of the future.

He is currently employed as Executive Chef at the Mercure Resort Queenstown. It’s his first time running a kitchen, but he really enjoys the everyday challenges the position brings.

Nick was finishing his New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4) a few years ago when he made the decision to enrol in the Bachelor of Culinary Arts. He knew that he had a passion for cooking, but he also had an eye to the future.

“I thought it would be a good chance to further develop my skills and do something a bit different within the industry.

"I'd previously work as a restaurant cook - but the Culinary Arts degree opened up a new world of possibilities."

Two highlights of the degree for him were the charity dinne­­r that students organised and hosted in just the first year of the course, and the final year project where students could choose to work on whatever they wanted – so long as it fitted within the marking criteria.

Happy in his new role, Nick has this advice for others considering the degree: “Life’s too short not do what you love – you can do whatever you want in this industry, so long as you have the passion for it!”

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Published on 14 Dec 2021