News
Brisbane’s Apprentice Chef of the Year 2011 revealed
21 November 2011
Richard Pascoe, from one of Brisbane’s premier private clubs, The Brisbane Club, was judged Apprentice Chef of the Year at the prestigious competition held at Southbank Institute of Technology on November 17.
The annual event saw Southbank Institute’s top 10 apprentices in the Certificate III in Hospitality Apprenticeship – Commercial Cookery, put their culinary knowledge, creativity and techniques to the test in a Master Chef-style competition judged by Brisbane’s leading head chefs.
Richard created a menu featuring star ingredients ocean trout, chicken, vanilla bean and raspberries and impressed the judging panel with delightful dishes including mint yoghurt sphere, poached chicken breast with corn and tarragon butter, and white chocolate espuma.
“I can’t believe how wonderful this year has been for my personal development, firstly winning my chance into the Worldskills National Finals in Sydney, and now winning Southbank Institute’s top apprentice chef award – I’m so thankful,” Richard said.
“My teachers at Southbank Institute and my employers at The Brisbane Club have definitely played prominent parts in my success and I just can’t wait to see what happens from here.”
Richard started his apprenticeship during his senior high school days in Toowoomba, before moving to Brisbane to continue his training as a chef at The Brisbane Club in Brisbane’s CBD. He has ambitions to travel the world to gain experience from top chefs before returning to Australia to start his own fine dining restaurant.
Richard receives the life-changing opportunity to spend time in Bangkok working at the luxury five star ACCOR Sofitel Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.
Southbank Institute’s other award winners included: Henrelie Gindap, Karen Finney, Claire Monaghan, Francis Anak Christopher Aju, Linh Thu Thuy Nguyen, and Hayley Lewthaite. The inaugural ‘Button Award’, in which the guests vote on their favourite canapé for the evening, went to Henrelie Gindap.
Southbank Institute Chief Executive Dr Pim Borren said the night was a fine example of the students’ professionalism and proficiency.
“The Apprentice Chef of the Year event is the culmination of three years’ hard work by our apprentice chefs both here at Southbank Institute and in leading restaurants across Brisbane, working alongside the experts,” Dr Borren said.
“This was my first Apprentice Chef experience and I must say that the standard of the dishes and the event at large went beyond my expectations – it truly is a special night on the Institute’s calendar.
“I look forward to following the success of Southbank Institute’s students and from what I have seen of late, these students have been provided every opportunity to do very well in their career.”
ENDS
Photo caption:
Richard Pascoe announced as Southbank Institute’s 2011 Apprentice Chef of the Year.
Notes to Editors:
The 2011 Apprentice Chef of The Year judging panel included:
• Keith McNeil, Executive Chef - Brisbane Polo Club
• Shannon Kellan, Executive Chef - The Brisbane Club
• Patrice Falantin - Executive Chef - Sofitel Brisbane
• Kim Cooper, John Perraton and Rene Leu - Southbank Institute of Technology.
The Apprentice Chef of the Year event was made possible with the generous support of sponsors and in particular Accor who provided the major prize of an international work experience opportunity.
For further information about hospitality, commercial cookery and other courses contact Southbank Institute of Technology on 13 72 48 or visit southbank.edu.au.
Media Contact: SBIT’s PR Manager Victoria Lloyd (07) 3244 5246.