ETC’s Apprentice of the Year Chef Cook-Off (Semi-Final)

Three Apprentice Chefs will by vying for the title of ETC Apprentice of the Year during a public cook-off competition to be held at Lismore Square Shopping Centre on Monday 25 March.

They will be re-creating their own signature seafood dish, featuring Australian native foods.

The finalists are:

Jayden Ross

A 2^nd year Apprentice with Summergrove Estate, Jayden will be preparing Seared Scallops with a Cauliflower Puree, infused with Saffron and Turmeric and served with Samphire Finger limes.

Joe Carrall

Bounty Motel, 2^nd year Apprentice, Joe, will be creating Lemon Myrtle scented Barramundi with a Rocket and Pineapple salad, Pepperberry and Wild Hibiscus vinaigrette.  

Mac Palencia

South Tweed Sports, 2^nd year Apprentice, Mac, will be creating Macadamia Crusted Barramundi, served with Quinoa salad.

The Cook-Off will be judged by local Chefs Tamaya Rose from Café Cappello, Philip Mcloughlin from Lismore Worker’s Club and Graeme Stockdale from Stockpot Kitchen.

The ETC Apprentice of the Year Cook-Off is the brainchild of ETC Training Advisor and experienced Chef Nick Philip.

“When you work as an Apprentice Chef your work routine consists of very repetitive tasks. It can become frustrating sometimes not to be able to express your creativity. With this cook-off, I wanted to be able to give the Apprentices a chance to have some fun and showcase their skills,” Mr Philip said.

Mr Philip said competitions are an essential part of the development of young Chefs.

“As an Apprentice Chef I had the opportunity to take part in a few culinary competitions. It was an extraordinary experience that helped me gain confidence, experience and enabled me to meet some amazing Chefs. Competitions enable young Chefs to perform in an environment that puts them up against their peers and out of their comfort zone, which is a great challenge.”

ETC’s CEO Jenny Barnett praised each of the contestants for entering the competition and congratulated the finalists.

“It’s a fantastic achievement to make it this far and we encourage the public to come along and get behind their local Apprentice Chefs,” Mrs Barnett said.

“Each of the finalists will receive a $150 gift voucher and the winner will receive an additional $150.

The cook-off competition will be held at Lismore Square Shopping Centre from 10.30am – 12.30pm on Monday 25 March.

The winner of the Lismore cook-off competition will go up against the winners from the Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour regional finals, with the ETC Apprentice of the Year to be decided at the Grand Finale cook-off to be held in Coffs Harbour in July.

If you are interested in becoming a Chef, or signing up an Apprentice Chef in your business, or would like to learn more about ETC’s Apprentice of the Year Cook-Off competition, contact ETC’s Training Business Relationship Manager, Ingrid Johansen, on 0447 162 970.