Help Nick Represent NZ in Abu Dhabi

My name is Nicholas Todd and I was born and raised in Dunedin Otago.

I am the youngest of 6 children, so a reasonably big family you could say. I attended John Mcglashan College for my high school years until I finished yr 12. Then I left to work full time at a restaurant for half a year after been working there part – time previously for 1 yr. I started at the bottom as a waiter and dish hand, then worked my way up into the bar and from there to the kitchen.

This was the best experience I could have had as a young teenager starting in the career of hospitality.

This showed me the appreciation for both front and back of house, and all the roles in-between into how a restaurant is run efficiently. This is where my passion grew and then went on to join the army at 17yrs old as a Chef in 2013.

Joining the army was the start of my proper cheffing career and where I developed my passion for fine dinning and competing in competitions.

Besides my cheffing side, I also became a solider with a bigger family than I ever thought I would ever be apart of. This is my 4th year in the Defence Force as a chef.

I have been lucky enough to been sent overseas on exercises and involved in soldiering exercises over the country. Also being involved in natural disasters and helping and giving back to the community such as the Kaikoura Earthquake in 2016 and the fires in Christchurch earlier this year.

I feel extremely lucky to have been selected for the NZ Skills 2017 Team, which will travel to Aubui Dabi this year in October. Not only to represent my country for my trade skills, but to also gain new mentors and learning.

For my future career, I wish to down the track open up my own restaurant and pursue my love for fine dining cooking. This is something I have wanted ever since starting my cheffing career.

For those of the public who are interested in donating to World Skills and our team, this would be deeply appreciated into helping us go overseas to represent our country and make everyone proud. So if you can give a little, a little would go along way.