CDU’s culinary rising stars take gold

Two Charles Darwin University students have won the 2013 Nestlé Golden Chef's Hat Award Northern Territory title from a line-up of the region’s best apprentice and junior chefs.

Certificate III Commercial Cookery students and second year apprentice chefs at The Waterfront Bistro, Courtney Cameron and Kevin Khun won the overall gold medal after beating 10 other talented chefs in the three-course culinary challenge.

Courtney said he and Kevin went all out to win the regional heat. “This was my second time in the competition so I was determined to do my best,” she said. “We put in a lot of training time ahead of the day and it’s really paid off. I’m so proud of us winning and having the chance to represent the Territory at the National Final is incredible.”

Using only the ingredients available to them on the day, the teams of two had to create a sumptuous three-course meal to impress the judging panel including Nestlé chefs and members of the Australian Culinary Federation.

Courtney and Kevin’s winning menu was an entrée of Gold band snapper and bug tortellini with leek béchamel sauce, zucchini and seafood bisque with a crisp Lavosh. Main course was Emerald Valley lamb rack duo; lamb and zucchini wellington served with thyme infused jus and a braised lamb rack served with glazed carrots, sweet potato, roasted onion, tomato and a spinach puree. For dessert the up-and-coming chefs created a chocolate fudge cake with a white marble chocolate teardrop, orange candy, chocolate crumble, strawberry salad, caramelised banana, served with a strawberry coulis.

The young chefs will now have their skills put to the ultimate test against Australia’s best at the National Final in September.

The 2013 Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award is offering this year’s national winning team a once-in-a-lifetime prize trip to London to carry out work experience alongside legendary chef Alain Roux at world-renowned, three Michelin-starred restaurant, The Waterside Inn.

To keep up-to-date with Courtney and Kevin’s progress visit facebook.com/goldenchefs