A Hunter Training Nets Gold For Chef
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday April 9, 2003
THE Hunter Valley is an excellent place to hone the craft of cooking, a state apprentice chef championship winner said yesterday.
Third-year apprentice Guy Parkinson, 20, won a gold medal at the Hospitality Training Network state grand final in Sydney on Sunday.
Battered zucchini tempura, braised lamb shanks with chestnuts and mushrooms, finished off with dark chocolate mousse and poached lychees were the award-winning combination for the trainee from Vineyard Estate's Splash restaurant in Pokolbin.
Eliza Taylor, a third-year apprentice from Peppers Guest house, won silver medals at the state and regional championships while her fourth-year colleague Kylie Burke won a bronze at the state grand final.
``I want to point out how well the Hunter went compared to Sydney apprentices," Mr Parkinson said.
``For a long time Sydney has been of a high standard but now we are showing them."
Mr Parkinson said Sydney trainee chefs faced more pressure.
``Sydney is much more highly pressured and there is a higher burnout rate among apprentice chefs," he said.
Two hundred contenders competed in nine regional heats throughout NSW and the ACT, with each winner progressing to the state grand final.
Mr Parkinson has one year left until he finishes his apprenticeship.
``I'd like to travel and cook at great restaurants throughout Europe," he said.
He said he would like to one day set up his own restaurant in Australia.
© 2003 Newcastle Herald