Gatton apprentice chefs plated up for TAFE Queensland’s training restaurant based in Toowoomba, Futures, where they presented a delectable degustation event for more than 75 food aficionados on Monday, 10 June 2024.
Guests indulged in a meticulously crafted five-course meal featuring the region’s fresh produce, which was thoughtfully prepared by TAFE Queensland’s talented chefs-in-training and served by hospitality students.
The curated menu was a sensory delight, created by cookery apprentices from several esteemed Darling Downs venues, including Jak and Mo Taste Co and Tins and Trays in Gatton.
Jak and Mo Taste Co apprentice chef Samuel is following a lifelong dream to pursue a career in the industry, and the opportunity to prepare the degustation enabled him to finesse his sweet-making skills.
“I have a passion for food, and I enjoy honing my skills in baking breads, cakes and creating desserts,” he said.
While Chandler, an apprentice chef at Tins and Trays, is fulfilling her lifelong dream of pursuing a culinary career and the degustation allowed her to refine her pastry-making skills.
“At Tins and Trays, my boss is also a patisserie chef, so I’ve learnt heaps from her,” she said.
“During my apprenticeship I’ve enjoyed learning more about pastries and cakes — all the sweet things. I’ve always loved cooking from a young age.
“Tonight’s menu featured a consommé, duck dish, crab, and my specialty, crème brûlée, for dessert followed by a cheese platter.”
TAFE Queensland commercial cookery teachers Stephen Simon and Rob McGrath have decades of industry experience between them, and said the event was the perfect opportunity to highlight the exceptional skills and talent of local apprentice chefs.
“This fine-dining experience is a key date on our training calendar, and our apprentice chefs, who are nearing the end of their apprenticeships, look forward to showcasing the skills and knowledge they’ve developed to date,” Mr Simon said..
“Before each course, they shared their vision for the meal and highlighted feature ingredients that contributed to the menu’s theme, with guests,” Mr McGrath said.
“Here in Toowoomba and across the wider region, it’s great to see our food and hospitality scene thriving — it’s the perfect training ground for our up-and-coming chefs.”
