After a decade breaking new ground for tourism, hospitality and events students in the Shoalhaven, TAFE’s Nowra campus turned a new corner on Tuesday night by launching a second decade with one of the young guns of the industry.
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The 11th annual Celebrity Chef Dinner saw one of Australia’s best-known celebrity chefs cook up a storm with students in front of almost 200 guests.
The idea that started with the help of Sydney chef Peter Kuruvita in 2001 has seen 10 experienced Sydney chefs visit Destiny’s Restaurant to work with students.
This year, James Viles, of two-hatted restaurant Biota Dining, was invited to help the students present a 10-course degustation menu featuring local produce, wines and entertainment.
Mr Viles guided the TAFE students as they constructed the menu based on his sustainable food philosophies. He showed them how to source local produce and worked alongside the students on the night.
TAFE Illawarra’s Human Services, Tourism and Hospitality faculty director Belinda MacKinnon said the staff and students were thrilled to have one of Australia’s most renowned and innovative chefs in Australia working with the students.
‘‘His restaurant was awarded two hats for the second consecutive year and Best Regional Wine List of the Year in this year’s Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide awards,’’ she said.
Mrs MacKinnon said the Celebrity Chef Scholarship Dinner enabled TAFE students to develop their own networks and move on to successful careers in the hospitality industry.
Tourism and Hospitality head teacher Di Laver said the Nowra campus had developed a sustainable garden containing vegetables, herbs and citrus trees.
‘‘To date, we have already harvested a range of produce that our students have incorporated into their culinary creations for the enjoyment of our patrons in Destiny’s Restaurant.’’
Ms Laver said while tourism and hospitality students worked in the kitchen and in the restaurant on Tuesday night, the Diploma of Events students researched and co-ordinated the event and enlisted the sponsors.
