By Anhar Khanbhai
Electrolux’s 2012 edition of the Appetite for Excellence Program has gone into overdrive.
This is the ultimate national awards program for young hospitality professionals that is overseen and judged by 24 of Australia’s most successful chefs, restaurateurs, and industry leaders.
Judges include: Guy Grossi, Chris Taylor, Peter Gilmore, Mark Best, Christine Manfield, Philip Johnson and Luke Mangan.
Applications opened in February to career focused young hospitality professionals, currently residing in Australia and working full time in the restaurant industry.
The respective judging panel then assessed each of the entries in April after which two to three chefs and waiters selected from each state were flown to Sydney to participate in judging.
Last week, the state finalists were announced and will compete in a two-day judging round with the judges.
In July the “Young Chefs” will cook one dish against the clock and each other, in front of a selection of the Young Chef judges who will observe, taste each dish and interview each Young Chef.
The winner will get an all-expenses-paid produce tour through the ACT and southern New South Wales.
The Young Chef State Finalists are:
1. Adrian Winoto, QLD.
2. Benjamin Wallace, VIC.
3. Jay Lee, NSW.
4. Joshua Gertig, SA.
5. Kah-wai Lo, VIC.
6. Matthew Bugeja, NSW.
7. Michael Demagistris, VIC.
8. Michael Fox, VIC.
9. Nick Street-Brown, QLD.
10.Richard Spencer, WA.
11. Richmond Rodrigues, QLD.
12. Sarah Knights, NSW.
13. Stewart Wesson, SA.
