From Hungary to New Zealand: The culinary odyssey of Szilvia
Meet Szilvia Nagyne Nagy: a student, turned head chef, turned entrepreneur.
With a passion for Hungarian cuisine igniting her determination to share her flavours from home with the world, Szilvia Nagyne Nagy moved from Mezotur, Hungary to Auckland, New Zealand.
After settling into the country, Szilvia enrolled at The Culinary Collective Sylvia Park campus. Her tertiary education journey served as platform to interact with seasoned chefs and glean insights from their expertise.
A taste of Hungarian tradition
After graduating with a Level 6 Diploma in Culinary Management from The Culinary Collective, Szilvia's Little Kitchen was born, Szilvia’s very own culinary food truck and e-commerce business that offers a delectable array of Hungarian delights, from traditional finger foods to sweets.
For Szilvia, culinary artistry extends beyond the confines of a kitchen; it's about bringing the essence of Hungarian flavours to the masses—a unique point of difference that earned her the 2023 New Zealand Artisan Award for her range of smoked cheeses and BBQ sausages.
"My success has been driven by my love for authentic Hungarian cuisine, which has a deep-rooted appreciation for smoked offerings, especially when it comes to cheeses. The smoking process not only enhances the flavour profile but also transforms the texture, bringing delight to cheese enthusiasts," shares Szilvia.
"From sourcing the finest New Zealand ingredients to utilising traditional Hungarian recipes passed down through generations, we ensure that each product embodies our dedication to authenticity and taste."
With dreams of establishing a physical storefront, expanding her culinary repertoire, and introducing more Kiwis to the delights of Hungarian cuisine, coffee and culture, Szilvia epitomises the spirit of culinary entrepreneurship.
Beyond business pursuits
Amidst her culinary endeavours, Szilvia is committed to community service. In her spare time, she supplies food to students through dollar for schools, ensuring hundreds of underprivileged youth receive nourishing meals.
