HTN Blog - HTN

HTN Launches New Aspire Program

Posted on March 1, 2015 , Comments Off

HTN is delighted to announce Aspire – a new program allowing young people to realise their dreams of becoming professional chefs.

Aspire is a high-end preparatory program in commercial cookery. It will commence on Tuesday 7th April at William Angliss Institute.

This intensive eight-week course is designed for anyone who wants to get a start in the culinary profession, and who wants to take their skills to the highest level. The course combines face-to-face learning with on-the-job training.

Students will not only get the very best of cookery training, but after successfully completing the course, will be guaranteed an apprenticeship in one of Australia’s best kitchens*.

Aspire places a priority on exceptional technical skills. It will be an ideal way to get to the first rung in this rewarding industry.

During the eight-week course, there will be three days of practical tuition each week and two days of work placement. Tuition will be provided by TAFE NSW as well as the William Angliss Institute.

There will be master classes and guest lectures from leading chefs including Nino Zoccali from The Restaurant Pendolino, and Colin Barker from The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay.

There will be a media master class with Adrian Richardson from the Lifestyle Food Channel.

Participants will have access to an extensive library of resources and training videos through the new HTN Skills Board.

Each student will have their own HTN personal mentor for the duration of the program. They will be able to utilise the HTN ePortfolio which enables apprentices to build an interactive CV and to showcase their skills and work.

After completing the eight-week Aspire course, students will hold the accreditation towards a Certificate II in Kitchen Operations (Basic Cookery).

At the end of the program, they will be career-ready, and will have the opportunity to progress to an apprenticeship with HTN Professional or HTN Executive (recognised for prior learning).

As Australia’s leading group employer of culinary and food service apprentices, HTN is proud to be working with leading chefs, restaurants, clubs and training providers on the Aspire program. This is a real opportunity for aspiring chefs to set themselves up for a great career.

For more information, take a look at the Aspire Program page where you can find more information and application details.

A career as a professional chef is both fulfilling and rewarding, with real opportunity for career advancement, travel, and job satisfaction.

I sincerely hope that this may be the chance to help make young people’s vision a reality.

Michael Bennett

Chief Executive Officer, HTN

*Conditions Apply

HTN ranks high in Australia’s Trusted Brands list

Posted on February 26, 2015 , Comments Off

HTN was recently nominated in the Top 100 Trusted Brands and is now in the running to be named one of the Top 10 Trusted Brands.

The competition was launched by Hospitality Magazine and aims to be Australia’s leading national showcase of the best brands in the hospitality food service industry.

To vote for HTN please visit the Trusted Brands Competition before 8th March 2015.

HTN Master Classes 2015

Posted on February 6, 2015 , No comments

HTN are committed to offering our Apprentices with the best opportunities to learn by coordinating master classes each year, an exclusive “HTN only” event. Students enrolled in the Aspire program will also have opportunity to attend several workshops with leading chefs.

Master classes are generally based on feedback from our apprentices (or our hosts) and have covered a range of topics in the past including:

Butchery
Beef and Lamb
Quail and Spatchcock
Molecular Gastronomy
Chocolate
Salt and Masterpieces (Beef and Lamb)
Presentation and Plating

Master classes will be offered throughout 2015 – follow our Facebook page, sign up to our newsletter for updates.

Have an idea for a Master Class? Post it in the comments below.

Hospitality is a massive growth area struggling to find skilled workers.

Posted on February 5, 2015 , No comments

According to Hospitality Magazine finding and hiring reliable and skilled workers is one of the greatest challenges facing business owners in the hospitality sector. The industry has experienced unprecedented growth (more than 10% a year) creating huge demand on the jobs market. As Anne Cazar, assistant director of tourism and hospitality at TAFE NSW says, “we’re just not attracting enough people to meet the increase in the market”.

Chef and Restaurateur Nino Zoccali, who operates two Italian restaurants in Sydney, couldn’t agree more; ‘there’s a huge shortage of skilled labour in our area’ says Zoccali, who cites changes to labour laws, and the growth of the hospitality industry since the GFC as contributing factors.

In New South Wales in 2014, only 1,489 people commenced commercial cookery apprenticeships. This is compared to 1,580 in 2013 and 1,670 in 2012. HTN is now working hard to correct this trend with the innovation of new skills programs like TotalChef Aspire.

Read the full article.

Winners announced from the HTN Quality Service Survey

Posted on January 27, 2015 , No comments

HTN Apprentice Chefs Guy Lobsey, Caprice Minehan and Justin Fawbert were the recent recipients of the mini iPads for completing the HTN Quality Service Survey (conducted every year as part of our continuous improvement program).

The HTN Host Trainers who received the $250 voucher from Fraser and Hughes are Vikrant Kapoor from Zaaffran, Simon McNamara from Canterbury Leagues Club and Pat Gibbons from Fairmont Resort.

Congratulations to all the winners, and make sure you take the time to complete next year’s Quality Service Survey – stay tuned.

2014 ACF National Apprentice Competition

Posted on November 9, 2014 , Comments Off

Daryl Harris (Team ACT) with Regie Anne Soriano, Thomas Walsh and James Huynh (Team NSW) competing in the 2014 ACF National Apprentice Competition Finals in SA.

Regie Soriano wins 2 day paid work experience at Vue de Monde in Melbourne

Posted on November 5, 2014 , No comments

As part of the 2014 HTN Apprentice Chef Culinary Competition HTN Graduate Regie Soriano won a 2 day paid work experience at Vue de Monde in Melbourne.

To experience the opportunity of working with renowned Chef Shannon Bennett, Regie competed against other HTN Apprentice Chefs throughout the 2014 regional heats and was the highest overall scoring and best performing apprentice in the competition series.

Guided tour onboard the P&O Pacific Pearl

Posted on September 18, 2014 , No comments

HTN Apprentices recently had the opportunity to attend a guided tour of the P&O Pacific Pearl. The tour was conducted by Uwe Stiefel, Corporate Executive Chef, Carnival Australia and helped HTN apprentices understand more about large-scale hospitality operations on cruise liner. HTN apprentices were also able to visit a number of establishments, including ‘Salt Grill’ by Luke Mangan – the only Australian celebrity chef restaurant at sea.

HTN supports apprentices with opportunities like this throughout the year, including masterclasses, social events and competitions. Join us on Facebook to find out more.

HTN Apprentice Chef Culinary Competition

Posted on September 4, 2014 , No comments

The 6th heat of the HTN Apprentice Chef Culinary Competition was held on 3rd September 2014 at TAFE NSW Sydney Institute – Ultimo College (pictured).

This fantastic series is open to all apprentice chefs and is designed to give participants the opportunity to compete in a relaxed environment whilst demonstrating their skills and learning from others.

The HTN Apprentice Chef Culinary Competition is Australia’s largest competition series annually for future chefs with regional heats held throughout NSW.

This competition provides an ideal opportunity for cooking apprentices and trainees to engage in structured skill development, further enhance their unmistakable passion for the culinary art and celebrate the excellence of cookery as a career without limits. It also provides an opportunity for apprentices and trainees to network, form long lasting friendships with other like minded people and to display their 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 (including airfares and accommodation).

For more information about the 2016 HTN Apprentice Chef Culinary Competition please contact HTN on 1300 139 108.