Culinary skills put to the test

Three young Broome apprentices plan to carve up their competition as they take up knives, blunt objects and wooden spoons in WA’s equivalent of MasterChef this weekend.

Apprentice chefs and Kimberley TAFE commercial cookery students Michael Ferguson, Nelise Pretorius, and Joel Grande are downing tools at their Broome restaurants and resorts to compete in the Australian Culinary Federation Apprentice of the Year competition this Sunday, July 3.

As they travel down, excited and confident, they could be excused for taking with them a healthy serving of nerves, as the chefs will not only be assessed on culinary skills, but also on criteria such as occupational health and safety, creativity, timing, taste, visual appeal and work flow.

The top three apprentices at the end of the competition will represent the State at the national finals in Darwin.

Mr Ferguson, a second year apprentice at Cable Beach Club Resort, finished third last year and is eager to better his result this year.

He said the competition was a great test of nerves, with individuals challenged by time constraints and the pressure of judging.

“It’s an amazing experience to be a part of this competition as it gives you the chance to sharpen your skills and meet people with similar passions,” Mr Ferguson said.

He, Mr Grande, who is an apprentice at the Cable Beach Club, and Ms Pretorius, an apprentice at the Old Zoo Cafe, have been trained by Kimberley TAFE Hospitality lecturers Carmel Peter and Daniel Pethick.

Mr Pethick said the competition was a fantastic opportunity for his students to improve and showcase their talents.