Mclaren wins Orewa College’s 2025 MasterChef challenge after dishing up a three-course meal with a spicy twist.

They plated up under pressure and nailed it

With the clock ticking and the heat rising, ākonga at Orewa College stepped into the commercial kitchen for this year’s MasterChef challenge. McLaren House walked away with the win.

Senior teams of four created restaurant-quality three-course meals, using mystery ingredients like chilli or lavender to impress guest judges: past students currently working at Shoreward Restaurant. The results? Dishes that wouldn’t look out of place on Ponsonby Road.

Meanwhile, the juniors tackled two meals each: One had to feature kumara as the star ingredient, and all teams made biscuits from a set recipe. McLaren shone here too, with Nepia also putting in a strong performance.

A special shoutout to Nepia House for their creativity and teamwork across both divisions. With MasterChef points added, the house standings are neck-and-neck heading into the final events of the year:

McLaren is emerging as a clear frontrunner in a house competition that has seen incredibly close results:

McLaren – 52 points

Sheppard (J) – 50 points

Nepia (J) – 49 points

Batten – 49 points

Blake (J) – 39 points

📷 Photo credit: Sarah Postlewaight for Masterchef Senior, Georgia Sparks for Masterchef Junior