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HTN Chefs Media Master Class – tasting the life of a TV Chef

Posted on May 4, 2015 , No comments

The HTN Chefs Media Master Class was recently held in the TV and Film Studios at St Leonards TAFE for HTN Host Businesses and Apprentices. Filmed by SkillsOne TV, HTN Apprentices got a taste of what it’s like to be a TV Chef.

Facilitated by HTN Patron Peter Howard, the evening began with a demonstration by leading Chef and Lifestyle Food Channel presenter Adrian Richardson. After being shown Adrian’s dish HTN Apprentices Giovanni Micali, Katey Shaw and Kenneth Yap had to replicate that same dish while sweating it out under the watchful eyes of the SkillsOne camera. They each bravely tried their hand at cooking and presenting…

The evening concluded with a discussion from home cook and media personality Lyndey Milan and HTN Director Lachlan Bowtell on the responsibilities, possibilities and duties of the modern celebrity chef and media chef.

For more information about the HTN Chefs Media Master Class call HTN on 1300 139 108. Check out the full gallery of photos on our Facebook page.

You can watch the videos of all three apprentices preparing the dish and the master video with Adrain Richardson and Peter Howard on the following links:

HTN Patron Peter Howard with Adrian Richardson – https://youtu.be/lEGy1Mo4NuU
HTN Apprentice Chef Kenneth Yap with Adrian Richardson – https://youtu.be/n30Lv51yfMM
HTN Graduate Giovanni Micali with Adrian Richardson – https://youtu.be/_2gkxMqjitw
HTN Graduate Katey Shaw with Adrian Richardson – https://youtu.be/5khWgysRs9c

Jessica Jandric Shares Her Experiences From the Future Chef Scholarship

Posted on April 28, 2015 , No comments

As the recipient of the 2014 HTN Peter Howard Future Chef Scholarship Jessica Jandric shares her experience with us. Jessica had the opportunity to spend several days in Canberra working with HTN Host Businesses as well as go on tours with HTN Industry Advisor Tom McDonnell.

On the 13th of April 2015, I took a flight to Canberra, where Tom McDonnell met me at the airport ready to take care of me for my 5 days of work experience in the Capital.

Our first two destinations were the Kiwi Kitchen and the National Press Club of Australia where I was going to be working in this week. I met Vanessa from the Kiwi kitchen, a lovely lady with a big personality who loves working in her pastry and dessert catering kitchen. We then visited the National Press Club where I would be working on Wednesday and Thursday with Darren Tetley and his chefs.

We then drove past the Anzac parade to the War Memorial where I got to see all the memories from the war. This was a very new and interesting experience.

Tom then dropped me of at the Forrest Hotel and Apartments in Forest, Canberra where I stayed for 5 nights.

On the 14th April 2015 at 8:30am Tom drove me to the Kiwi Kitchen where I would spend 4 hours learning new techniques of how to make and decorate desserts and pastries. I learnt how to make cheesecake and chocolate ganache and even got to help decorate some cakes which were being garnished. They even sent me home with a little box of yummy sweets.

After my morning at Kiwi Kitchen I was taken to all 3 university kitchens in Canberra and got to meet Tom’s apprentices. They were all really nice. I was then driven back to the apartments where I had dinner at the restaurant and got ready for my first day at the National Press Club.

On the 15th April 2015 at 10:00am Tom drove me to The National Press Club of Australia. The first thing I got to do was make an apple turnover. I learnt how to make dry caramel and put the turnover together. I was shown around the kitchen and premises before working with Darren Tetley, Forest, English, Lance, Lilly and Georgia. We plated 100 meals for a lunch function for people from Government House. The teamwork was great and we had lots of fun.

Later in the day I got to help plate and cook food for the dinner service at 9:30pm. We were finally able to start cleaning down and Lilly took me back to the hotel by 10:30pm. I was pretty tired by then but loved my day working with these great people in an awesome kitchen.

On the 16th April 2015 at 10:30am I walked to the National Press Club. I worked with the girls, helping them warm and plate dishes. I learnt some new ideas on how to plate desserts and make savoury Panna Cotta…

We had an interesting lunch of Rabbit and mixed vegetables, which was surprisingly very tasty. A big thank you to Darren Tetley and his team. Darren is a great chef to work under. I had the experience of a lifetime and would definitely be back for more. I had an awesome two days!

On the 17th April 2015 Tom showed me around Canberra and took me to the local fresh food and produce markets. The bakeries in the markets had lots of pastries and cakes for sale which I had helped make at the Kiwi Kitchen. I also saw the fish markets and the meat markets.

To finish off the day Tom showed me a few places of interest which included “Essentials” where you can buy food and equipment for commercial kitchens. We also had lunch at the restaurant his son used to work at in Ainslie. It was called PULP. At this restaurant I had a dessert of “Textures of dark chocolate with mandarin and caramelised milk”, which looked amazing and tasted delicious.

This week was a wonderful experience and something I will never forget. I loved the food, the people and Canberra.

A big thank you to Tom McDonnell for showing me around and taking care of me. Thank you to Darren Tetley for an experience I will never forget in the National Press Club of Australia and Vanessa for a great learning experience in the Kiwi Kitchen. Also a very big thank you to HTN and Suzi Tubic for giving me this opportunity.

HTN wins title TOP TRUSTED BRAND in Training and Education category

Posted on April 27, 2015 , Comments Off

The results from the Hospitality Magazine Top 100 Trusted Brands Survey are in!!

HTN was named and recognised by the voters, and our supporters, as the most trusted brand for Training and Education and were announced the category winner. To view the final results click here.

This survey was launched by Hospitality Magazine to recognise the businesses that have influenced Australian food service and saw companies nominated across 20 categories.

Thank you to all our voters and the supporters.

HTN and Futura APPRENTICE CHEF CULINARY COMPETITION – Registrations open now

Posted on April 17, 2015 , Comments Off

Registrations are now being accepted for the HTN and Futura Apprentice Chef Culinary Competition, Australia’s largest annual competition series for future chefs with regional heats held throughout NSW and ACT.

This competition provides an ideal opportunity for cookery apprentices and trainees to engage in structured skill development. The competition is very inspirational and will undoubtedly enhance attendees’ passion for the culinary arts and the possibilities within the culinary career!

This is a great opportunity to network, form long lasting friendships with other like minded people and to display your individual culinary talent.

Winners at each heat receive cash and great industry prizes while the best performing HTN Apprentice Chef across all heats will be provided a unique 2 day paid work experience opportunity with renowned Chef Shannon Bennett at Vue de Monde in Melbourne. This experience includes airfares and accommodation.

To download the entry form click here.

HTN Inter Schools CULINARY CHALLENGE – Registrations now accepted

Posted on April 17, 2015 , Comments Off

Registrations are now being accepted for the annual HTN Inter Schools Culinary Challenge. This Challenge is held throughout NSW and will see Hospitality students represent their local high schools.

In previous years students were required to prepare and present pan fried lamb rump with ratatouille, black olive tapenade and basil oil, which were demonstrated by a local, leading Chef on the day.

The key focus of this event is on “technical skill” and the ability to present a dish as shown on the day for a panel of industry judges. The winning team will walk away with cash prizes with thanks to our corporate sponsors.

The HTN Inter Schools Culinary Challenge is coordinated to highlight careers in Commercial Cookery and to showcase the culinary skills of students studying hospitality in high school as well as learn some tricks from a leading local Chef.

To download the information booklet and registration form please click here.

“Becoming a chef is like getting a passport to travel the world – the shortage is not unique to Australia.”

Posted on April 13, 2015 , Comments Off

Read the full article from The Daily Telegraph, to find out more about the pros and cons of becoming a chef.

Chef Zac Ahrens says being a chef suits those who don’t want to work in an office…
“It’s a great career, it can take you places and it’s fun! … You get to eat nice food.”

If you are interested in starting your career as a chef, check out HTN’s ASPIRE – an entry level program that can kick start your career as a chef.

Time to change the way we train people in the culinary industry

Posted on April 9, 2015 , Comments Off

Nino Zoccali and Colin Barker address the issue of the current apprentice shortage in the culinary industry and the importance of educating the upcoming chefs in managing their business, as well as the culinary arts.

Telegraph reports: CHEFS ARE A RARE BREAD

Posted on March 24, 2015 , Comments Off

Niel Keene from Daily Telegraph reports on shortage of chefs in NSW:

“Restaurant and Catering Australia said yesterday that NSW needed an extra 2500 chefs, from apprentices all the way up to the top of the career ladder, to cater for rising demand.”

If you’d like to kick start your career as a Chef, check out ASPIRE. A new HTN course that guarantees industry placement at the completion of 8 week training period.

No one wants to get their hands dirty…

Posted on March 23, 2015 , Comments Off

Are young people too picky to take up an apprenticeship?

Listen to the 2UE radio interview with Michael Bennett, discussing why young people are not keen on becoming apprentices; and what solutions lie at hand.

ASPIRE program kicks off on 7th Apr – Don’t miss out on a career!

Posted on March 23, 2015 , Comments Off

Read the GoHospitality article about this 8wk preparatory program, that includes theory and face-to-face practical components followed by an industry placement. A perfect way to gain entry into the world of cooking!

Check out ASPIRE details and apply today (no obligation).