Finalists announced for 2019 Proud to Be a Chef

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Proud to Be a Chef is returning next year with 32 apprentice chefs set to take part in the professional development and mentoring program.

Anchor Food Professionals director Jeff Dhu says the aim of the long-running program is to support and guide young chefs as they embark on their careers in foodservice.

“We are passionate about the foodservice industry, which is why we help to support apprentice chefs stay engaged and inspired about their career choice,” he said.

“Our theme for the 2019 program is encouraging sustainability. We have previously focused on resilience and this year we are taking that one step further to encompass building a sustainable career in the industry, whether as a chef, restaurateur or whatever path our participants take.”

The mentors for next year’s program are Scott Pickett (Pickett and Co, Matilda 159 Domain), Christy Tania (Glacé) and Peter Wright (Anchor Food Professionals) who will work closely with each finalist chef.

The four-day event will see the finalists pull together what they have learnt in a culinary showcase by preparing a dish of their own creation, followed by an awards night where one finalist will be presented with an international scholarship valued at $7,500 tailored to their personal interests and professional goals.

The complete list of 2019 Proud to Be a Chef finalists:

Victoria

• Triston Gilli, Lucy Lockett
• Darren Chen, Black Toro
• Stephanie Orchard, Mr Hive
• Danika Alt, MCG (Spotless)
• Clarence Chow, Koko
• Ashlea Perkins, The Royal Mail Hotel 
• Lachlan Thorn, Volpino
• Darcy Nicoll, Royal Standard Hotel

Queensland

• Emma Arkinstall, Nineteen 
• Brandon Hardiman, Nineteen 
• Poppi Olive, HONTO
• Jessica Lord, Novotel Brisbane 
• Sarah Hunt, Fat Noodle
• Tom Barrick, Hot Production 
• Matthew Smith, Brightwater Hotel
• Jamieson Beaman, Taxi 
• Tess Wilson, Glace

New South Wales & ACT

• Chris Greentree, Emerson’s
• Naren Adhikari, Park Hyatt
• Brody McNamara, The Garden Berry
• Tannah Moran, Kokomo’s
• Justin Martin, Tumbulgum Tavern
• Jordan Frost, Merimbula RSL
• Irene San Andres, Angourie Rainforest Resort 
• Zoe Johnson, Dee Why RSL

South Australia

• Kira Fontana, Grand Hotel Millicent
• Joel Noble, The Playford Adelaide Hotel

Tasmania

• Chaya Rainbird, Cataract on Paterson

Western Australia

• Jessica Marshall, Juniper Aged Care Shannon Holdsworth, Sweetwater 
• Tori Pickens, Millbrook Winery
• Brent Pedlar, Red Cabbage

Sheridan Randall, 29^th November 2018