Maroochydore High School’s new state-of-the-art training kitchen played host to the 2011 Novotel Apprentice Chef of the Year Competition last week.
Competition was intense between the seven apprentices who reigned from a number of Novotel properties across Australia.
Each apprentice was tasked with a mystery box challenge which saw the seven chefs create some innovative dishes using local Sunshine Coast produce including Mooloolaba spanner crab, Palmwoods strawberries and Gem squash.
Amie Ray from Novotel Sydney Olympic Park won the competition and walked away with a five night all expenses paid trip to Tuscany, Italy with spending money and the opportunity to experience some Chef Master Classes.
The competition was judged by a panel of Accor Culinary Professionals including the resorts Executive Chef Steven Forrester and General Manager Mark Wilkinson, Novotel Brisbane Executive Chef Sean Collins and regional General Manager Accor Queensland, Neil Scanlan.
Wilkinson, Novotel Twin Waters Resort’s General Manager said he was thrilled with the calibre of dishes that were produced on the day.
“I was thoroughly impressed by each and every apprentice chef who competed in the competition, the talent was amazing and I look forward to seeing these young chefs develop their careers and skills further,” said Wilkinson.
The prestigious award recognises the work and skill level of Novotel’s apprentices and helps to build a culture within their kitchens that the Novotel brand is serious about food and the development of its employee’s careers.