Creative cooks cool in kitchen

Culinary creativity knew no bounds when some of the South West’s best cookery students gathered at South Regional TAFE’s Bunbury Campus last month.

First and second year apprentices and students of the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery from Bunbury, Albany and Margaret River faced off in the regional heats of the Australian Culinary Federation Apprentice of the Year competition, held in the Epicure Training Restaurant kitchen.

After vigorous competition, Tylisha Wells from Bunbury, Stephanie Humphries from Bunbury, and Cara Viljoen from Margaret River were announced as the finalists of the first year apprentices, while Emily Turner, of Albany, was the successful competitor of the second year apprentices.

Bunbury Commercial Cookery students Lathan Lucas and Megan Liston were also named as finalists.

The top competitors will go on to the finals in Perth which will be held at North Metropolitan TAFE in Joondalup.

Each competitor planned their dish from a list of ingredients and then created a chicken main course to impress the judges – South Regional TAFE commercial cookery lecturers Amanda Smith, Ian Frost and Kathryn Tindal-Davies.

Ms Tindal-Davies said the competition had run smoothly and the group had achieved a high standard of work.

“The students were organised and had taken the time to practice the dishes,” she said.

“The judges were very happy with the high level of professionalism shown in the preparation and it showed in the final product served.

“The students demonstrated different styles in taste, presentation and cookery methods from the meat protein of chicken and a set list of vegetables and dry goods.

“We are all excited to mentor and accompany our students for the next step to the finals.”