By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Gordon TAFE apprentice Jake McKenzie has taken out a prestigious food industry award, winning a placement at the restaurant of his choice anywhere in world.
The $7500 award funds a paid international culinary placement, tailored to his aspirations as a professional chef.
A second Gordon apprentice, Ellyse Humphries, took out second place in the best dessert section, winning a week’s tuition with executive pastry chef at Sydney’s Shangri-La Hotel, Anna Polyviou.
The pair were among 34 finalists in a four-day intensive chef competition that attracted some of the nation’s top foodies to Geelong.
Competitors were mentored by esteemed Australian culinary leaders including Polyviou, head chef at ESP and Estelle in Melbourne, Josh Pelham and food service expert Peter Wright.
Finalists dined at award-winning restaurants across Geelong and Melbourne, while attending culinary master classes where they learned new skills from the cream of the crop of the Australian foodservice industry.
As part of the competition finalists showcased their creativity and technical talent when presenting their original recipe event dish.
The Fonterra Proud to be a Chef competition was designed to foster, recognise and reward up-and-coming apprentice chefs.
Competitors were evaluated on their passion and commitment to food servicing, as well as their goals, aspirations and an original recipe.
Jake is an apprentice at gastro pub the Tinamba Hotel and Ellyse works at The Lido Larder in Portland.
“I didn’t go in expecting to win. I just tried to take as much of it in as I could,” Jake said.
“I treated it as a learning experience and to win was the icing on the cake.”
Jake said the jam-packed program included Fonterra factory tours, master classes and eating at venues “apprentices don’t really get to go to”.
He said he was still thinking about where to take his prize.
Gordon cookery teacher Michael Davis said the program was a great way for young chefs to gain exposure to the industry and inspire them to go on to bigger and better things.
“Jake has shown commitment and determination, as well as amazing talent and leadership during his time at the Gordon,” Mr Davis said.
“Ellyse has displayed an amazing drive for learning and knowledge and shows a maturity and talent that I have not seen in an apprentice before.
“This program will give both an exposure to the cutting edge techniques they need to become industry leaders in the near future.”
The competition kicked off in Geelong last Sunday evening at Bistro@Banks in Marcus Hill.
