From left: Chisholm Institute of TAFE apprentice chefs Jasmin Bacalla, Mark Watson, James Read and Kym Bendle at the VICTAFE Cookery Competition at which they won a silver medal.APPRENTICE chefs from Dandenong’s Chisholm Institute of TAFE have cooked up a storm to take out silver and bronze medals at recent state championship events.
Four apprentices combined to win silver at the VICTAFE Cookery Competition in July, impressing judges with dishes including seafood broth with herb gnocchi and chocolate chilli lime parfait.
A two-man team from Chisholm also won a bronze at state level in the Nestle Golden Chef’s Hat competition.
In both competitions, the Chisholm Certificate III Commercial Cookery students were presented with a mystery box containing the ingredients, and required to produce a three course menu judged by renowned industry chefs.
Teacher David O’Brien said that when commenting on their attitude, chief judge Bernd Huber of the Australian Culinary Federation said the Chisholm students’ teamwork was “the best he’d ever seen”.
Student and Les Toque Blanche bronze winner James Read, who was on both teams, praised the Chisholm course and teachers.
“The teachers did a great job, helping out in their own time,” he said.
“I’d definitely recommend anyone else do it.”
