SIX of Victoria’s most talented young apprentice chefs have been short-listed for the chance to work for a month with renowned French chef and restaurateur Thierry Marx.

They have been selected as finalists in the inaugural Thierry Marx Career Development Award that’s been launched by Restaurant & Catering Victoria, along with partners Crown Limited, Meat and Livestock Australia, V.I.P. Personnel.

The group includes Bridget McClure (The Dunes, Ocean Grove), Danica Jones (Peppers Springs Retreat, Hepburn Springs), Emma McCaskill (Ezard, Melbourne), Jasper Avent ( Lake House Restaurant, Daylesford), Samantha Gogol (Wild Oak Restaurant & Wine Bar, Olinda), and Scott Stevenson (Pettavel Winery & Restaurant, Waurn Ponds).

Two of the finalists will be selected to spend a month working with Marx—Relais Gourmand’s French Chef of the Year 2006—at his restaurant in Bordeaux.

Restaurant & Catering Victoria’s new chief executive officer, Todd Blake, said the calibre of applicants “demonstrateds the strength of the restaurant and catering industry in Victoria, both regional and suburban”.

The next round of judging require finalists ti impress the judges by presenting an original dish they have created.

The successful apprentices will travel to France between May and August 2007 this year to undertake their work experience.