There was more pressure than usual for the EIT Tairāwhiti Trades Academy catering students on Friday.

The 26 youngsters, from schools all over the district, had to cater for around 100 fellow students and staff as part of their studies for the year.

And while there were plenty of nerves from the pupils, they had the full confidence of their tutors Gregor Ross and Ingrid Walsh.

The students, who attend EIT Tairāwhiti each Friday, will do six “lunch productions” throughout the year, with each getting progressively more challenging.

This time they opted for sandwiches, buns, salads, slices, muffins and other yummy treats they had chosen themselves.

The class was split into two – cooking and front of house – but all students get to try their hands at both sides of the restaurant throughout the year as they study entry level hospitality.

Mr Ross said the classes near perfect attendance record spoke volumes.

“They are all so keen to learn,” he said.

“Remember, most of this class had never set foot in a kitchen before, so there is a lot to take in.”

Their service on Friday was made all the more tricky by the tight timeframe.

Key to it all was team work, and Mr Ross said with those seeds sewn early, the group were well on the way to successful foundations.

That was reiterated by front of house tutor Ms Walsh, who said students would complete the year with skills that would stand them well in any work place. Friday’s event was chaotic but fun and all had shone.

“This group are really an amazing bunch,” she said.

“They are full of life and enthusiasm – I get a lot of joy working with them.”