While honing in on their trades, TAFE NSW Orange students have been busy in the kitchen preparing more than 250 hot meals to feed the large crowd expected at the 150th Orange Show on May 14.

Students have been getting industry relevant experience in the kitchen while preparing frittatas, lasagna, soup, and other wholesome meals for showgoers.

TAFE NSW Head Teacher Michael Apps said not only does the students’ experience at the 2022 Orange Show contribute to the community, it’s giving students the real-world experience they need to succeed in their hospitality career.

“This experience is great for TAFE NSW students who feel a sense of achievement being involved in the annual agriculture show, which is a large community event in Orange,” Mr Apps said.

“They’re using the skills they’ve been learning at TAFE NSW to prepare meals on a large scale.

“We also know demand for skilled hospitality workers in the Central West is expected to grow by 10% over the next few years, so this experience ensures we’re building a pipeline of talent with the right skills.” 

Student Sarah Shepherd, who is from Millthorpe and attended the Orange Show as a teenager, is among the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery students cooking meals for the event, and said she was enjoying putting everything she had learnt into practice for the good of the community.

Ms Shepherd has catered for events through her work at Elwood's Eatery in Orange, but said learning to produce quality food on a large scale alongside her peers was exciting.

“It’s been a great opportunity to get a full catering experience and learn new skills with others in the class. We’ve been learning how to not only cook food, but how to present food as a whole dish,” she said.

“We’ve been cooking lasagna, scones, pastries and other treats that people want when they go to a country show.

“I’ve been to the show and eaten food prepared by previous TAFE NSW students, so being a part of that this year is awesome. It’s such a great opportunity that I am happy to be a part of.”

A TAFE NSW Mobile Training Unit will also be in the pavilion at the Orange Show, serving up hot drinks and milkshakes.

The Mobile Training Units allow TAFE NSW to deliver hands-on skills training in regional communities throughout the Central West, meeting local industry needs and helping students get in-demand jobs.

Media contact: Emily Barton, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, emily.barton11@tafensw.edu.au