The State’s best junior chefs will compete for a finalist spot in the 2012 Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award, in a TAFE SA Regency International Centre hosted event this Wednesday 27th June.
Nine teams of two chefs have been selected from an initial first round entry to put their culinary skills to the test.
A mystery box of ingredients will be revealed at the start of the competition, where competing teams will create a three-course meal to impress a panel of judges, using only the ingredients available.
Teams will be scored on the presentation and overall taste of the entrée, main and dessert dishes. The winner’s will secure themselves an all-expenses paid trip to Melbourne, during Fine Food Week in September, where they will represent South Australia in the National Final.
This is the third year that the TAFE SA has worked in collaboration with the Australian Culinary Federation to present the Nestlé Golden Chef's Hat Awards.
Elizabeth Lowe, TAFE SA Educational Manager Commercial Cookery, believes that the support and facilitation of competitions is essential to provide the opportunity for young chefs to develop a broad range of skills.
“Culinary competitions give our apprentices the opportunity to work with the best up-and-coming chefs. It provides encouragement and experience and also engages the industry,” Ms Lowe said.
The Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award recognises Australia’s most talented junior and apprentice chefs. Each year the program awards two chefs under the age of 25 the opportunity to develop their career through overseas training. The two young chefs named the 2012 national winners will be awarded an international travel prize, worth $15,000 to advance their culinary careers.