In a tightly contested, high-pressure MasterChef-style event, students Coen Harvey and Charles Mislos were required to watch a 45-minute demonstration by a professional chef from the Australian Culinary Federation, and then work as a team to replicate this dish within a 90-minute timeframe.
Teams were judged on their personal presentation and hygiene, teamwork, technical and culinary skills and the final product’s presentation and taste.
Coen and Charles had been very well prepared and mentored by their teacher, Fiona Edwards and the school’s Food Technology/Hospitality Assistant, Christine Shaw.
The students each won a $250 voucher to spend at Fraser and Hughes (a hospitality equipment supplier) and two books, as well as the possibility to be selected for the team that will represent NSW at the Australian competition in Darwin later this year.
Competitions such as this provide VET students with a wonderful opportunity to test their skills against students from other schools, while experiencing the pressure and the mentorship of judging by industry professionals.
Coen and Charles had the opportunity to follow an area of passion and even under what would be considered stressful conditions, they showed confidence and creativity!
In Hospitality, this type of activity replicates the kind of pressure they can expect in a real work environment.
Congratulations to these students and St Mary’s Gateshead for their commitment to supporting students in their VET studies.