From TasTAFE kitchens to supporting the homeless, Chloe is cooking up something good

Chloe Bowen in the kitchen at Bethlehem House. Image courtesy of Loaves & Fishes Tasmania.

TasTAFE learner Chloe Bowen is taking huge strides in her cooking career, moving from a school-based apprenticeship into the TasTAFE kitchens, to cooking for charity organisations supporting Tasmanians in need.

Chloe grew up around Brighton north of Hobart and went to school at Jordan River Learning Federation Senior School in Bridgewater.

“I went all the way through to Grade 12 – and I always thought that I was going to work with animals and become a vet. But I changed my mind after volunteering in Jordan River’s ‘Paddock to Plate’ program, in the school kitchen,” Chloe said.

This school program gave Chloe an introduction to nutrition and food systems, and a taste of kitchen life – and it opened the door to her next opportunity.

“I hadn’t really thought about TasTAFE, but at school that year they picked a student to do an ASbA – an Australian School-based Apprenticeship. And I was the one they chose.”

Across her ASbA, Chloe worked 2 days a week in the school kitchen while completing her Certificate II in Kitchen Operations at TasTAFE, working closely with Cookery Teacher Veronica Whitney.

Chloe then launched into a Certificate III in Catering Operations at TasTAFE, working with Cookery Teacher Michael Norton.

“Michael helped me with a lot of my theory work – helped me understand it. There was one unit – Plan and Cost Recipes – that I couldn't really wrap my head around... But apart from having complications with that one unit, I found everything simple and easy to understand.”

Midway through her Certificate III studies, an opportunity came up with Loaves & Fishes Tasmania, a statewide emergency food provider helping people in need.

In early 2023, Chloe became Loaves & Fishes’ first trainee in southern Tasmania, working in their Rokeby kitchen. More recently she relocated to Bethlehem House in central Hobart, a facility supporting men experiencing homelessness, where Loaves & Fishes has the food service contract.

“It's really nice to see all the guys at Bethlehem House enjoy the food,” Chloe said. “Some of them come from off the streets, or from somewhere where they don't get to eat nice nutritious meals. So, it's good to see them enjoy the food we make.”

Aaron Kropf, General Manager at Loaves & Fishes, has supported Chloe in her training journey, organising a placement opportunity at Cradle Mountain Lodge, and providing her with a mentor. Aaron has been extremely impressed with Chloe’s spirit, work ethic and growing confidence.

“When Chloe first joined our organisation, she was quiet and reserved and lacked confidence in her own ability. In the last 2 years we have seen Chloe grow into a confident young woman with an incredible work ethic and a real passion for food and cooking,” Aaron said.

“I have worked with hundreds of trainees in my 20 years in hospitality, but Chloe stands out. She brings passion, skills and commitment to everything she does – and provides an excellent example to all the trainees that she works with.

“Chloe will go a long way in this industry, and I see bright things ahead in her future. It has been such a pleasure to be a small part of her journey.”

What’s the next stop on Chloe’s journey?

“The next thing will be my Certificate III in Cooking Operations at TasTAFE,” Chloe said. “Hopefully Loaves & Fishes will keep me on for a bit longer after that…and then let me go off into the world!”

Congratulations on making the most of your opportunities, Chloe – your cooking career is simmering along nicely. And when you do “go off into the world”, you’ll know that you’ve made a real difference to the lives of many Tasmanians.