Finalists announced for Appetite for Excellence
Appetite for Excellence has announced the 2019 national finalists across its three categories - young chef, young waiter and young restaurateur.
The young chef finalists had to compete in a three-stage cook off, while the young restaurateurs went through a series of panel and one-on-one interviews that covered their business plans, growth and direction.
The young waiters were assessed through interviews and knowledge testing before they were observed looking after a table of guests at attended by industry professionals in Sydney earlier this week.
The list of finalists was selected up by a panel made up of Australian hospitality leaders including Jo Barrett, Peter Gilmore, Guy Grossi, Analiese Gregory, Luke Mangan, Dan Hunter, Martin Benn, Kylie Javier-Ashton, Phil Wood, Dan Puskas, Andrew McConnell, Danielle Gjestland, Lisa van Haandel, James Viles, Troy Rhoades-Brown, Richard Ousby and Marilyn Annecchini.
The national finalists will now take part in a three-day produce tour, where they will visit regional locations across New South Wales before returning to Sydney for the Appetite for Excellence Awards Ceremony on 6 August, where the winners will be announced.
“The hospitality industry has been a big part of my life, so for me it’s important to give something back to the industry that has given me so much,” said Luke Mangan, who co-founded the awards program with Lucy Allon.
“Through Appetite for Excellence and the support of Australia’s hospitality industry leaders, we’re doing everything we can to educate and support our young up-and-coming industry professionals.”
Appetite for Excellence 2019 Young Chef National finalists
- Anna Ugarte-Carral, Momofuku Seiobo NSW
- Ashley-Maree Kent, Tasca Coolangatta QLD
- Bianca Johnston, Tom McHugo’s TAS
- George Wintle, Oakridge Wines VIC
- James Cole-Bowen, Restaurant Lume VIC
- Serkan Tamcelik, Quay Restaurant NSW
- Thomas Foster, Cirrus Dining NSW
Appetite for Excellence 2019 Young Waiter National finalists
- Caitlin McDonald, Momofuku Seiobo NSW
- Caroline Simpson, Rosetta Ristorante VIC
- Nance Liong, Momofuku Seiobo NSW
- Olivia Evans, Fleet NSW
- Orlena Prosser, AKIBA ACT
- Sophie Gitterle, Quay Restaurant NSW
Appetite for Excellence 2019 Young Restaurateur National finalists
- Charlie Carrington, Atlas Dining VIC
- Daisy Miller, Soi38 SA
- Hannah Abraham, Il Passagio NSW
- Luke Piccolo, Limone NSW
Sheridan Randall, 10th June 2019
