ACF Australian Apprentice of the Year

Twenty year old Joondalup resident Wanda Jansen VanVuuren has taken out the coveted gold medal in the Third Year Apprentice category at the Australian Culinary Federation’s Apprentice of the Year competition.

Winning silver and bronze medals in previous years, Wanda who is a student at the West Coast Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, was surprised to win the gold and says the win has ‘almost’ sunk in.

Prior to the finals on July 1, heats were conducted across the state, including regional areas such as Geraldton and Albany. The finals featured 32 competitors selected from 80 apprentice and commercial cooks.

For the finals, Wanda was charged with presenting four portions of an entree using mushrooms, four portions of a main using beef oyster blade as the protein component, and four portions of dessert using honey. She had four hours to plan and prepare the menu under the scrutiny of the judging panel which featured some of WA’s most prominent chefs including Chris Taylor – Executive Chef at Fraser’s, Costa Simatos – Executive Chef at UWA, and Jochen Beranek – Executive Sous Chef at Burswood.

Wanda is currently completing her apprenticeship at Joondalup Resort and hopes to complete a pastry course next year. She says she has a passion for all cooking but definitely has a soft spot for desserts.  “It’s hard work juggling so many hours practising as well as working…but it is definitely worth it!” says Wanda.

Background

• The West Coast Academy of Hospitality and Tourism is part of West Coast Institute of Training, a leading provider of general and specialist skill training solutions in the areas of commerce and technology, community services and health, hospitality, tourism and trades.

• The Institute has two campuses located in Joondalup and Clarkson and two specialist sites in Brighton and Wangara.

•  The Academy received a Recognition of Quality Culinary Education Award from the World Association of Chefs Societies in May 2011. The Academy is the only training provider in Australia to receive this accreditation which positions it as one of only four ‘centres of excellence’ worldwide for quality culinary education.

Other Academy Medallists:

• Commercial Cookery – Mary Evangelista (Silver)
• First Year Apprentice – Michelle Bonnetti (Silver)
• Second Year Apprentice – Faith Gasper (Bronze)
• Third Year Apprentice - Cherise Minas (Bronze)

Source:  eatdrink.com.au - 10 July 2012