The second annual NSW City vs Country Apprentice Chef Challenge was held last week, with the country team cooking up a storm to take out the 2010 title.
The competition is hosted by J&J O'Brien Hoteliers Group (JJO) and 2009 Australian Hoteliers Association's Chef of the Year, Daniel Fountain. It aims to promote the hospitality industry and nuture both city and rural apprentice chefs by providing them with the opportunity to work with leading chefs over the competition's three day course, and also to create their own team menus.
"I created the NSW City vs Country Apprentice Chef Challenge to create awareness for apprentices as it is an industry lacking in apprentices, but also to help create the next big chefs in Australia," Fountain said.
Each team had to cook four courses: canapes, an entree, main course and a dessert. The teams were also given a mystery-box of ingredients from which they could create their own menus.
The competition was judged by executive head chef of Bel Mondo Restaurant, Andy Ball; Gabrielle and Matthew Moss from Channel 7's My Kitchen Rules and Paul Rifkin, executive head chef of Campbelltown Catholic Club.
The winning Country team created a menu featuring an entree of salmon cooked three ways; a main of pork belly with green beans and potato puree and coconut pannacotta for dessert.
The team consisted of:
- Matthew Hammond from Chez Pok Restaurant in Polkolbin. Hammond was also given the Apprentice Award for being the best individual apprentice, which was also awarded by the judges.
- Natasha Housell from the Wheeler Oyster Farms and Seafood Restaurant in Pambula
- Michael Thorpe from the Carriage House in Wagga Wagga
- Steven Evans from Victoria's Restaurant and Wine Bar in Grafton
- Joshua Grant from Gallery Bistro, Harrington Hotel in Port Macquarie, and
- Peta-Anne Hillier from the Long Track Pantry in Wagga Wagga
