Western NSW Culinary Challenge at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre

The Western NSW Culinary Challenge provides competitors with a real life experience of the hectic pace of the hospitality industry as they compete against their peers and the clock.

Students from Years 9,10, 11 and 12 competed in individual and teams events while spectators lined the upstairs gallery to cheer them on.

This is the fifth year of the competition and master of ceremonies Christine Le Fevre, of Bishops Court Estate, has been involved since its inception.

She said some of the students go on to be offered a job in some of the city’s top restaurants and cafes based on their performance in the competition. 

“The standard just gets higher and higher every year,” she said.

One of this year’s judges Paul Coopes said the students are confident in their ability and work well together.  Mr Coopes, who is a chef at Stumpy’s on Stewart, is also in his fifth year as a judge for the event.

“I’ve seen some great cooks. In fact I have hired kids from this competition as kitchen hands and apprentices,” he said.

“It gives them a taste of real life in this industry.”

One of the schools taking part in this year’s Western NSW Culinary Challenge was Carenne Public School. Mr Coopes said it was Carenne’s third year in the competition.

“In the past they’ve had their teachers with them, but this year they are taking on the challenge by themselves,” he said. 

“All-in-all the students are very good. They are cool, calm and collected, but that isn’t surprising because they learn this type of thing at school.” 

The co-ordinator of this year’s event is Michaela Holden from the Department of Education and Communities. 

She said there was a great turn-out this year.

“We are seeing a lot of enthusiastic students, their final dishes have been fantastic,” Ms Holden said. “The teachers have been a great support and so have the local chefs.”

The event is funded by the Department of Education and Communities. The Lions Club of Bathurst sponsored ingredients to the tune of $2000, Food Service Central sponsored the dry store and herb garden, Fish River Roasters sponsored the whole barista competition and Bundella distributers sponsored the aprons.