Cox’s Cove resident to represent NL in national competition
4/8/2008 2:54:37 PM
On April 4 Neil Park proved himself to be among the best in the province at the provincial Skills Canada competition.
Park, originally from Cox’s Cove on the west coast, is a cooking student with College of the North Atlantic’s Bay St. George campus.
According to instructor Eric Hynes, Park battled it out with four other students from across Newfoundland and Labrador for the title.
“In the provincial competition there was a student from each cooking school in Newfoundland – this includes public and private colleges with cooking programs,” says Hynes.
“Neil is a third year student meaning he is in his last eight weeks of study for his Red Seal. This student was chosen for his skill level, attitude, dedication to his craft and desire to pursue his career. He has always completed beautiful work in the kitchen.”
Park says that while he had taken a previous program in Halifax in 2003, he came to CNA specifically to earn his Red Seal.
“I heard (the program at CNA) was a good program. I worked for Humber Valley Catering and Nancy McCarthy is a chef there and she did her program at Bay St. George campus. She said it was a really good school and I feel it is a good program. It’s a lot of work, but it has really good instructors.”
Park had never been involved in a cooking competition and is now looking forward to representing CNA on a nationally level.
“Instructor Eric King asked me if I would be interested in participating and I’ve always wanted to try it.”
The national competition will be held May 26-28 in Calgary, Alberta and Park begins his training for the competition next week.
“From past experience as a competitor and as a coach with this competition, I feel it is a very valuable experience and can be career changing for the provincial winner,” says Hynes. “It can cause good public relations for them and give them attention – making them more valuable to seek out. The experience is one that I suggest everyone, who has an opportunity, take part in.”
For more information about the competition, check out the provincial Skills Canada website at www.skillscanada-nfld.com/.
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For more information contact:
Glenda McCarthy
Public Relations Assistant
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-6408