FOOD & DRINK By Jim Kellar - May 24, 2023

Brett Graham Winner

Brett Graham winner Last week 20-year-old Ashleigh Handsaker, a third year apprentice who works at Fratelli Roma Restaurant in Maitland, won the $10,000 Brett Graham Scholarship for 2022.

The Hunter Culinary Association, in conjunction with TAFE NSW, hosted the event in its milestone 20th year, which aims to recognise and nurture one of the Hunter Region's most talented young chefs.

Second place was taken by Jimmy Joan's apprentice Nicholas Sanderson and third place was Emilio's Tyler Swinkels.

The $10,000 prize sponsored by both the Hunter Culinary Association and TAFE NSW will assist in covering airfares and accommodation in London for the winner, who is given the opportunity to work under former Novocastrian, and Australian chef Brett Graham in his highly acclaimed London restaurant - The Ledbury.

Previous winners of the Brett Graham Scholarship 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, amongst others.

For the finalists, the three apprentices had to use ingredients as designated by Brett Graham.

Hansaker's winning menu consisted of an entree of blue swimmer crab ravioli, fennel and citrus puree. Bisque; a main of braised veal cheek, celeriac puree, butter poached vegetable and char grilled leek; and dessert of dark chocolate tart, beetroot ice cream, hazelnut praline and orange chantilly.

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

23rd May 2023

CULINARY CLASH: Ashleigh Handsaker takes home the Brett Graham Culinary Scholarship

After a delayed judging process, the 2022 Brett Graham Culinary Scholarship has been awarded to Ashleigh Handsaker of Fratelli Roma restaurant in Maitland.

The final three contestants showcased their culinary skills in a fierce cook-off at TAFE Hamilton campus with Ashleigh emerging as the winner.

Nicholas Sanderson, an apprentice at Jimmy Joan’s, earned the title of runner-up, while Tyler Swinkels from Emilio’s claimed the third spot.

The judges made a point of emphasizing just how close the competition was, showcasing the high calibre of the participants.

The scholarship prize includes a remarkable $10,000 package co-funded by the Hunter Culinary Association and Hamilton TAFE.

It’s a win that will pave the way for Ashleigh’s journey to London, where she will have the opportunity to stage with Brett Graham at The Ledbury, his two Michelin-star restaurant.

In the coming months the 2023 edition of the culinary scholarship competition will get underway and once again give aspiring apprentices another chance to participate in the highly contested competition.

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.

30th November 2022 by Krystal Sellars

By Lisa Rockman - November 2, 2022

Hospitality scholarships handed out at Hunter Culinary Association seasonal lunch

Left to right, Taylor Hocking, Margan Restaurant (runner up Scarborough Front of House Scholarship), Petrea Apostolous, Customs House (Rising Star Scholarship, TAFE Diploma in Hospitality Management), Benjamin Lawrence, Muse Restaurant (winner Scarborough Front of House Scholarship), Isabella Jones, Margan Restaurant (winner Eustralis Pastry Chef Scholarship).

OUR rising stars in the hospitality industry have been awarded scholarships by the Hunter Culinary Association.

Isabella Jones, of Margan Wines & Restaurant, received the Eustralis Food Pastry Chef Scholarship at the association's seasonal lunch last week at Peter Drayton Wines.

The Rising Star Scholarship - which gives the recipient the opportunity to study for a Diploma in Hospitality Management at TAFE NSW, all expenses paid - was awarded to Petrea Apostolous of Customs House in Newcastle.

This year Scarborough Wines became a scholarship partner for the Front of House Award, and the winner of the $5000 scholarship was Benjamin Lawrence, for his "incredible commitment to his role at Muse Restaurant".

The runner-up was Taylor Hocking, of Margan Wines& Restaurant, who was awarded an all-expenses paid WSET Certificate 2 with Queensland College of Wine Tourism.

Each year the Hunter Culinary Association provides both experiential and financial support to the hospitality industry and recognises rising talent. Association chair Gus Maher said the applicants this year "were of a super standard".

A chef's workshop took place before the seasonal lunch. It was hosted this year by Luke Powell, head chef and co-owner of Bella Bruta in Newtown and LP's Quality Meats in Chippendale. "We always host a workshop or demonstration, a kind of quasi teaching experience for all our junior chefs and interested guests at our seasonal lunch," Mr Maher said.

"It's a really great way for us all to connect, via our mutual love of food and the industry, and even industry stalwarts still get something out of each and every demonstration we offer. "I think all of our committee - who are volunteers-get a real kick out of watching the next generation of chefs gleaning new experiences and ideas from their mentors.”

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FOOD BITES Lisa Rockman

May 21, 2022 - FOOD & DRINK Lisa Rockman