Three young apprentices progressed to the finals and Nicholas Smith from Saddles Mt White, Tyler Swinkles from Emilios Warners Bay, and Lachlan Dowsett from Bistro Molines Hunter Valley, fought it out in the TAFE NSW Hamilton Cookery Restaurant Kitchen, preparing a 3-course meal for some 60 judges, food critics, media guests, dignitaries, sponsors, their employers and families.
Creating a superb menu of 63-degree egg with Grilled Asparagus, Prawn Cannelloni and a White Chocolate Mousse with Green Tea Jelly, it was Saddles Mount White’s 3rd year apprentice Nicholas Smith who stole the show and was named the 21st Brett Graham Scholar.
In partnership with the Hunter TAFE Foundation and the Hunter Culinary Association, the Scholarship is named after one of TAFE NSW’s most successful alumni and former Novocastrian Brett Graham. The $10,000 prize includes a Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery and a once-in-a-lifetime trip to London, to work with Mr Graham in his award-winning businesses.
Nicholas says “the feeling of winning the Brett Graham Scholarship is like nothing I’ve ever experienced, definitely mixed emotions! But I feel very privileged. To go to London and be able to absorb the knowledge from the best in the business is an honour. I can’t wait to get over there and experience it first hand.”
L-R TAFE NSW Mark McManus, Brett Graham Scholarship Winner Nicholas Smith, Hunter Culinary Association Gus Maher
