IN THE MEDIA: Newcastle Herald

By Simon McCarthy - May 19, 2023

Apprentice chef bound for London

A THIRD-YEAR apprentice chef from Maitland has taken home $10,000 in cash and an opportunity to cook with noted Australian chef Brett Graham's two-Michelin-star Notting Hill kitchen after sweeping the competition at a culinary test in the Hunter this week.

The event was hosted by TAFE NSW and the Australian Culinary Association, and included eight young Hunter cooks vying for their chance to cook with Graham, the former Novocastrian turned world-leading chef.

Fratelli Roma Restaurant's Ashleigh Handsaker, 23, ultimately took the top gong, impressing judges with her "untapped energy, impressive organisational skills in the kitchen, and incredible talent".

The Brett Graham Scholarship is annually awarded to a young chef keen to broaden their horizons. Past winners have included Troy Rhoades Brown, of Muse, Garreth Robbs, of Bistro Molines, Chris Thornton, of Restaurant Mason, George Mirosevich, of the Bare Chested Chef, and Josh Gregory, of Muse Kitchen.

The scholarship offers a return ticket to London, a spot in Graham's kitchen, The Ledbury, as well as a $10,000 cash kickstarter. "I am so proud of the high standard of ability and passion demonstrated by each of our students," TAFE commercial cookery teacher Mark McManus said. "This scholarship is an incredible chance to learn from the best, hone their skills and bring the knowledge and experience they learn overseas back to the region, for us to enjoy and others to learn from."

Jimmy Joan's apprentice Nicholas Sanderson was named runner-up, and Emilio's Tyler Swinkels placed third. Each took home prizes to help establish their careers.

Chief judge Tracey Amos, from TAFE, was accompanied by Mount Pleasant chef and HCA deputy chair Kyle Whitbourne, former scholarship winner George Mirosevich and NBN news presenter Lauren Kempe on the judging panel.

All four commented on the talent displayed by this year's apprentices.