Free chef course cooks up interest

Residents hungry to become chefs can apply for Darwin’s first free pre-apprenticeship program supported by local industry.

Charles Darwin University commercial cookery lecturer Jason Wilkes said the program aimed to boost apprentice chef numbers and retention rates in the industry.

The three-week Pre-Apprenticeship Course in Commercial Cookery will offer up to 10 successful applicants tri-weekly commercial cookery workshops at CDU Palmerston campus and work experience in commercial kitchens.

Mr Wilkes said the course would develop the students' skills in vegetable cutting, cookery methods, cleaning, and knife holding and sharpening.

“As far as being a professional chef goes in Darwin, the need to fill chef positions is here and the opportunities are endless,” he said.

Mr Wilkes said that trained chefs could take their skills anywhere in the world.

He said that after successfully completing the introductory course participants could look to gain apprenticeships with local businesses involved in the program, including SKYCITY Darwin, The Cavenagh Hotel, Hot Tamale, Darwin Trailer Boat Club, Darwin Sailing Club, Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront, Rydges Airport and Rydges Palmerston.

CHARTTES Training Advisory Council and the Australian Culinary Federation Northern Territory are partners with CDU in the program.

The program will run from Monday, 15 February.

Applications close Friday, 3 February. To apply, contact Yvonne Webb on P: 8941 1956 or E: liaison@charttes.com.au, or contact Jason Wilkes on P: 8946 7832 or E: jason.wilkes@cdu.edu.au