TasTAFE Drysdale and Australian Culinary Federation team up to support young chefs

A new partnership between TasTAFE Drysdale and the Australian Culinary Federation (ACF) will support young chefs to stay in the industry.

TasTAFE Drysdale’s Cookery apprentices will have access to the ACF’s Young Chefs support network as part of a new memorandum of understanding between the ACF and TasTAFE Drysdale signed today (9 August)

ACF Tasmanian Director, Stephen Lunn, said the ACF recognised that young chefs starting their careers are often under-prepared for the challenges and expectations they may face in the industry.

“Being a chef can be a high-pressure environment which provides significant challenges for young chefs just beginning their careers.

Under the MOU, TasTAFE Drysdale’s Certificate III in Cookery apprentices will have access to ACF Tasmania’s Young Chef’s Club, overseen by a mentor to assist in running the club and providing advice.

The ACF Young Chefs is guided by the four pillars – Friendship, Education, Cuisine and Culture. It aims to give the next generation of up-and-coming chefs an educational and mentoring forum.

“This is the focus for ACF in Tasmania as we see the young chefs needing the most encouragement, guidance, mentoring and career opportunities,” Mr Lunn said.

The Tasmanian Young Chef’s Club’s state chair is Levi Carter, a Drysdale alumni currently working at MACq 01 hotel in Hobart.

TasTAFE CEO Grant Dreher said TasTAFE welcomed the opportunity to support its apprentices through the partnership with ACF.

“TasTAFE Drysdale trains around 300 cookery apprentices across Tasmania each year. Providing quality training is just one aspect of preparing a young person to work as a cook or chef.

“The partnership with ACF will ensure that our apprentices are fully prepared to enter the industry, have strategies to deal with any challenges and build a long-term career.

“This partnership is a great way to address skills shortages in the industry by supporting our cookery students to complete their apprenticeships and go on to great careers.

“We look forward to working with the ACF to promote not just the importance of training, but the long-term career opportunities and the rewarding side of working the industry,” Mr Dreher said.

The MOU also provide TasTAFE Drysdale cookery apprentices with networking opportunities to help connect with industry, the opportunity to enter ACF cookery competitions and educational and social events.

The Australian Culinary Federation (ACF) is the peak-industry body, dedicated to promoting camaraderie and culinary education of chefs, cooks, apprentices, and culinary students to raise the skill levels, personal growth, industry profile and wellbeing of the entire industry.