Thursday, May 29, 2008

HTN & Restaurant & Catering NSW Apprentice Chefs Culinary Competition

The latest heats of the NSW / ACT competition were held at Hunter Institute’s TAFE Hamilton Campus on Tuesday 29th April 2008. This competition will be seen as the nation’s best being supported and sponsored by the following corporates:
PFD Foodservices, DEEWR, Goodman Fielder Food Services, Krio Krush, MAS National, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and Fraser Hughes.

Cessnock students were a strong contingent again this semester. Some more Cessnock students will be entering the Tamworth heats later in July as they are from the Upper Hunter region and find Tamworth campus easier to access than Newcastle.
Kylie in her first ever competition overcame her initial fear of entering and was rewarded with second place.


Second Year Bianca Palmer (right) won First place and will go to Sydney to compete in the state finals in September. Garreth Robbs (left) competition entrant.

Damien Henrickson (left) second year apprentice received a Certificate of Merit. Charlotte Cooper (right) first year apprentice competition entrant.

Alana Duffy won third place in the third year apprentice competition.

Michael Hicks entered the second year apprentice competition.

Jake in his first comp gained the Encouragement award for his effort.
Book Review by Bianca Palmer

My review is on the dessert section in Karen Martini’s book “Where the heart is”. The dessert section is called (ends). In her introduction she states

“if I followed road maps in the way I follow recipes, I’m sure that I would constantly end up entirely in unexpected places”.

Karen Martini has been in the industry for 20 years. This book reflects on home style recipes, these are her favourites. Karen’s dessert recipes are quick, easy and tasty.

Here are my favourites:

Cherry and watermelon salad with rose water and yoghurt semi-freddo
I think this a good summer dessert or a summer breaky recipe.

Cinnamon and vanilla pannacotta with warm spiced pear
This is a nice modern dessert; left over spiced pear could be served with muesli the next day.

Honey dumplings donuts with rosewater and pistachio
This is a great recipe to whip up at home and can be kept for a few days.

Rhubarb and raspberry crumble and nuts
Nice warm winter recipe (comfort food)

I think Karen’s book has good flavours and is balanced out well. I would be happy to try some of these recipes at home, which gives me ideas for menu items at work.

Bianca Palmer
Apprentice Chef
Petersons Champagne House
Hunter Valley

This book is in the Cessnock & Hamilton library: Call No: 641.5/mart