His "natural fascination" with food was rewarded this week when he was named 2008 Hospitality Tutor of the Year.
The Dunedin man received the Hospitality Standards Institute (HSI) of New Zealand supreme award for excellence in training at an award dinner in Wellington this week.
His approach to tutoring cookery was based on a desire to make information accessible to students from a variety of backgrounds, he said.
"Many young people may enter the course and not know what a canape is - but if you relate food to things they understand, like food at a [function], they make connections".
The popularity of TV chefs such as Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay attracted some students, he said.
"They are attracted by fame and glory, but pretty soon the reality of long hours in a hot and sweaty kitchen sinks in. If they stay in Dunedin, they might work in restaurants or hostel kitchens, because the hours and pay are good, so we have to prepare them for all sorts of experiences".
Mr Woodhouse (33) has been working in kitchens for 18 years, and during his career has noticed New Zealanders' appreciation and knowledge of food has increased "dramatically".
"When I started, things like balsamic vinegar, pesto or sun-dried tomato were very foreign, but now you can buy these at any supermarket. Now, students need to be prepared to think about flavours and combinations of tastes . . . because there is much more interest in food generally," he said.
The HSI is an industry-led training organisation focused on the development and monitoring of NZQA unit standards and qualifications for the hospitality industry.
