Students from TAFE NSW Northern Sydney have taken out the winning trophy at the 2019 TAFE NSW Johnson’s Club Chef Cookery Challenge.

The team comprised of Team Manager Craig Whitting and commercial cookery students Gabriella Bombara, Spencer Abbott, Jurwan Phumpant, Nathan Gadsby, from Northern Sydney battled it out in a mystery box style cook off as part of the challenge held at TAFE NSW Ultimo.

Participants from across the state were organised into teams which were then tasked with preparing four courses in a limited time frame for a panel of esteemed industry judges.

All dishes were prepared from the ingredients supplied in a mystery box and participants were judged on food presentation, culinary skill, knife skills and work flow.

TAFE NSW Cookery Team Leader Sharon Altman said “TAFE NSW offers students the very best in training to ensure they job ready and we encourage all our students to engage in activities that progress their skills and help them reach their career goals.

“The TAFE NSW Johnson’s Club Chef Cookery Challenge gives the students a perfect opportunity to engage in friendly competition and be judged by industry experts so they can hone and perfect their cooking skills.”

The Johnson’s Club Chef Cookery Challenge aims to promote excellence and encourage achievement within NSW’s commercial cookery student community.

It provides an opportunity for TAFE NSW students to come together and use the skills they have learnt to engage in friendly competition with their peers.  

Johnson’s Club Chef General Manager NSW Anthony Gatley said, “Since establishing the Cookery Challenge in consultation with TAFE NSW 9 years ago, Johnson’s Club Chef could not be prouder of the high standards presented by the students yesterday.

“The standard of competition was extremely high and the judging was very close. Congratulations to all competing teams, you should all be very proud. I want to thank all those involved who worked to make the day a complete success.”

Johnson’s Club Chef and TAFE NSW are proud to provide the opportunity for high achieving students to excel through the establishment of this competition.

Media contact: Alice Dalley, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner, mobile 0402 528 210.