Six people from across Australia have been announced as state and territory finalists in our national cooking competition 'Cook For Your Career'; an apprenticeship program designed to tackle Australia’s national skills shortage in the restaurant industry and develop new talent by awarding one passionate person a full training apprenticeship in a leading restaurant.
Throughout the competition entrants will meet and learn from some of Australia’s leading chefs including Frank Camorra (MoVida), and David Pugh (Restaurant Two), as well as 5th generation restaurateur Peter Doyle (Peter Doyle @ The Quay), with the opportunity to gain placement in their restaurant should they win.
“Cook For Your Career is about unearthing new talent and providing amateur cooks with the structure and knowledge to one day become great chefs. By fostering young passionate cooks, we hope to support and grow the national restaurant industry,” said Frank Camorra, acclaimed owner and Head Chef at MoVida, Melbourne.
Each state and territory finalist is now required to upload a two minute video of their quality cooking skills on to Facebook and campaign for public votes, by having people “like” their video.
The top two Cook For Your Career state and territory finalists with the most votes will be flown to Melbourne* to compete in a Grand Finale Cook-Off in front of a live audience at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival on March 11 at HOSTPLUS Foodie Films Stage, Federation Square. Voting is now open and will close March 7 at www.facebook.com/cookforyourcareer.
As an extra incentive for the public, by simply ‘liking’ their favourite video on Facebook, voters can also win a return flight to Melbourne* to be a guest judge at the Cook For Your Career Grand Final cook-off on Friday 11 March. The winner of this draw will be randomly selected from the public voting, so everyone has a chance to win**.
All Cook For Your Career entrants were offered the option to go on a national HOSTPLUS employment database, which will facilitate connections between aspiring chefs and potential restaurant employers. With more than 77,000 employers*** in the hospitality industry, this provides a fantastic opportunity to not only promote a cookery career, but also connect quality up-and-coming chefs with employers for future employment opportunities.
“I encourage everyone in Australia to get behind their state or territory finalist and vote for them on the Cook For Your Career Facebook page. It’s all about supporting your state and making sure your representative makes it through to the Grand Finale Cook-Off in Melbourne on March 11,” said Mr Camorra.
Cook For Your Career is a competition open to people from all backgrounds and working ages (15 years nine months and over), launched by seven of the country’s best restaurateurs and chefs, and superannuation fund HOSTPLUS, to tackle the skills shortage.
“As the national superannuation fund for the hospitality, tourism, recreation and sports industries, HOSTPLUS launched Cook For Your Career as an innovative and creative way to help tackle the skills shortage, ensure the long-term growth of the industry and nurture the next generation of quality chefs,” said David Elia, CEO of HOSTPLUS.
To vote for your favourite entry check out the Cook For Your Career Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cookforyourcareer or for more information please visit www.cookforyourcareer.com.au
State entrants:
Renee Elliott- VIC finalist
“Renee was chosen to represent Victoria because she has a personality and knowledge of food that is suited to a kitchen environment. She also knows exactly what it takes to become a quality chef, and is looking forward to learning all she can in order to get there – this passion and drive is invaluable and something our industry needs in our young apprentices who are the future of the industry,” said Frank Camorra, MoVida.
Bec Stein- NSW finalist
“Bec was chosen to represent NSW because she has a positive personality, a good knowledge of food, and a strong focus on using local, fresh, sustainable Australian produce, as well as having an eye for detail,” said Peter Doyle, CEO Peter Doyle @ The Quay.
Monty Eilola- QLD finalist
“Monty was chosen to represent Queensland because of his determination, passion and understanding of food in the kitchen. He is young, energetic and is completely focused on his ability to succeed in a career as a quality chef. This drive is something our industry needs in our young apprentices, who are the future of the industry,” said David Pugh, Restaurant Two.
Matt Ibbett – SA finalist
“Matt was chosen to represent South Australia because of his passion and understanding of the kitchen due to his ten years working in various positions such as kitchen hand and cook in restaurants throughout South Australia. He is driven, committed to the industry, and most importantly, eager to learn – invaluable qualities our industry needs in our apprentices who are the future of the industry,” said Camillo Crugnale, Assaggio, Adelaide.
Sam Chee- WA finalist
“Sam was chosen to represent Western Australia because of his understanding of food, meticulous approach to cooking and intensity when it came to talking about the industry and his future as a qualified chef. This drive is something our industry needs in our young apprentices, who are the future of the industry,” said Telina Menzies, The George, Perth.
Tayla England- NT finalist
“Tayla was chosen to represent Northern Territory because of her understanding of food and her drive and commitment to becoming a chef. Tayla showed an energetic enthusiasm and dedication to the apprenticeship and that’s just the kind of attitude this industry needs,” said Chey Farrell, SkyCity Darwin.
Note:
*Victorians exempt from receiving flights.
**Only votes made on the official Cook For Your Career Facebook page will be counted.
***The information relating to industry growth was taken from the Job Prospects section of the Government's Job Outlook site for Chefs.