Former Kingaroy TAFE hospitality student
Amy Ballin, (
right), is making it big in Europe after making her first public presentation as a chef at the
PCA South Burnett Regional Culinary Competition in 2003.
In August, Amy made it to the semi-finals of the
Gordon Ramsay Scholarship and in October competed in the prestigious
Young Chef Young Waiter competition.
The UK competition, now in its 20th year, is organised by The Restaurant Association and is widely regarded as one of the best in Europe because of its high standards and the large number of entrants.
It aims to identify the rising stars of tomorrow and offers great prizes (this year £2000 cash and a week-long study trip to Cuba) as well as extensive media coverage.
Amy, who represented the Fernhill Hotel at Portpatrick, Scotland, first had to compete in a regional final in September against entrants from all over northern Britain - including chefs from major restaurants in Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool and Edinburgh.
They were tested by a panel of expert judges on their cooking skills and theoretical knowledge.
Just eight young chefs, including Amy (pictured fifth from left), and eight young waiters were then selected to compete at the National Finals held in London in October.The finalists were first taken on a trip to visit the historic Louis Roederer Champagne House in Reims, north-east of Paris, where they visited the famous vineyards and winery. The trip also gave the finalists the opportunity to get to know each other better before they were paired to compete back in London.
Although she didn't win this time, Amy won high praise from the judges who told her she had the best menu "perfectly priced for today's competition".
She has now been approached by several European restaurants interested in hiring her and as many of her fellow-finalists already work in Michelin-rated restaurants, she could well earn a similar honour.
And it all started in Kingaroy ... let's hope Amy spreads the message about great-tasting, healthy Aussie peanuts as she cooks up a storm in Europe!
