Charity Events:
Variety NT Charity Red Function – Taminmin College, Humpty Doo
Members of ACFNT attended a function at Taminmin College on the 23rd September 2011. This was fundraising function for Variety NT and was a huge success.
The night was catered for by Cert II Commercial Cookery students with Helen Grant (VET Teacher) supervising. Other students from the College acted as our waiters for the night.
The three course alternate drop menu which included the following:
Entrée - Crocodile Springs Rolls or Butter Chicken served on pappadums
Main – Fresh Whole Baked Barramundi with Saffron Rice or Scotch Fillet served with mashed potato
Dessert – Too yummy to mention
The night included music and performing arts by students as well as an auction.
The Cookery Students performed well under pressure with an excellent standard in the preparation, cooking and presentation of all dishes. We were amazed and delighted to see how the college is producing excellent young chefs.
Variety of Chefs 2011 – Darwin Convention Centre
Members of ACFNT attended the Variety NT’s Variety of Chefs 2011 at Darwin Convention Centre on the 1st October 2011.
Four celebrity chefs were invited to participate in this event.
Ben O’Donoghue – South Bank Surf Club (Brisbane)
Jimmy Shu – Hanuman Restaurant (Local)
Ian Curley – European Restaurant (Melbourne)
Jock Mitchell – Executive Chef, Darwin Convention Centre (Local)
The night was a hosted by Amanda Pernechele (Southern Cross Television) and Tim Story (Wine Connoisseur). 250 guests enjoyed the food, wine and entertainment. Some of the festivities included stories of children with disabilities, Entrée, Main & Dessert Demonstrations by the celebrity chefs, and an auction of some wonderful products from National & Local Businesses
The meal was a set three course menu:
Entrée – Caramelised Miso Tuna Loin with avocado puree, crispy shallots and micro herbs (Ben O’Donoghue)
Main – Beef Cheek Massaman, with Saffron Rice and Eggplant Pachadi. Served with Roti Bread (Jimmy Shu)
Dessert – Olive Oil and Polenta Cake (Ian Curley)
Each chef demonstrated during the night; showing how their course was cooked and presented - an excellent experience for guests and chef. It provided an insight to some very delicious food.
Variety NT co-ordinated the night extremely well with all guests enjoying the warm hospitality and interesting festivities. Variety NT always needs more support from the community, so the hope is that in the future, our local organisation will continue to support.
Competitions:
Taste Of The Territory Story 2011
The annual Taste of the Territory Challenge was held 4 October 2011 at CDU Palmerston Campus. The event was a joint competition hosted by Charles Darwin University and Australian Culinary Federation NT Chapter. All dishes used local ingredients including Crocodylus Park Crocodile, Humpty Doo Barramundi and Humpty Doo Honey. Seven teams entered the competition and produced an array of dishes showcasing creativity, skill and professionalism.
Teams from Virginia Store (Trevor & Louise King), Dolly’s O’Reilly - Leayner Tavern (Nestor Pandae & Remar Sta Cruz), Pee Wee’s at the Point (David Griffin & Paul Joyes), Virginia Tavern (Jefferson Fernandez and Mark Cueto), Waterfront Bistro - Darwin Sailing Club (Michael Lay & Tommy Jong), Holiday Inn Darwin (Aaron Davis & Demain Gottfried) and Skycity Casino Darwin (Nicolas Moutou & Ben Morriss) competed for medals and trophys.
The competition was judged by Steve Sunk (CDU Lecturer and Walkabout Chef), Ty Lee (CDU Lecturer) and Leigh Harding (VET Instructor – Mission Australia, Nightcliff Middle School). Guest judges were invited from Crocodylus Park, Humpty Doo Barramundi & Humpty Doo Apiaries.
A presentation dinner was held 11th October 2011 at CDU Training Restaurant with all competitors and sponsors enjoying a three course meal prepared and presented by Steve Sunk, Jason Wilkes & Antonio Tjung and Students from CDU Commercial Cookery Section.
Medal Tally
Entrée Gold – Virginia Store & Waterfront Bistro
Entrée Silver – Dolly O’Reily’s, Virginia Tavern & Holiday Inn
Entrée Bronze – Skycity Casino & Pee Wee’s
Main Gold - Waterfront Bistro
Main Silver – Virginia Store & Pee Wee’s
Main Bronze – Dolly O’Reily’s, Virginia Tavern, Holiday Inn & Skycity Casino
Dessert Gold – Waterfront Bistro & Virginia Store
Dessert Silver – Holiday Inn & Skycity Casino
Dessert Bronze – Dolly O’Reily’s, Pee Wee’s & Virginia Tavern
The winning team for Entrée was Waterfront Bistro (Michael Lay & Tommy Jong), Virginia Store & Dolly O’Reily’s came in 2nd and 3rd respectively and were presented a trophy from Crocodylus Park
The winning team for Main was Waterfront Bistro (Michael Lay & Tommy Jong). Virginia Store & Pee Ewe’s came 2nd and 3rd respectively and were presented trophies from Humpty Doo Barramundi
The winning team for Dessert was Virginia Store (Trevor & Louise King). Waterfront Bistro and Holiday Inn Darwin came 2nd and 3rd respectively and were presented a trophy each from Humpty Doo Apiaries.
Overall winner of the competition was Waterfront Bistro (Michael Lay & Tommy Jong) and the team were presented with a gift from Arafura Catering Equipment & Steve Sunk – Walkabout Chef.
This year’s competition was a success not only for the competitors and organisers, but for the local hospitality industry. Judges commented that the standard was high with a difficulty to score with only a few points difference between each dish.
World Skills Australia – NT Regional (Commercial Cookery) 2011
The kitchen heated up at Palmerston Senior College on October 24 and 25, as eight high school students battled it out in the Vet in Schools, World Skills Australia Challenge for Commercial Cookery.
The judges for the two day event were represented by industry experts from ACFNT. All judges were impressed with how professional and skillful the young chefs were over the two day challenge.
At just 15 years of age, Nadia Utami from Palmerston Senior College took out the competition, showing superior cooking skills and impressive presentation. Nadia will now compete in a national World Skills Challenge, representing the Northern Territory.
ACFNT judges were very impressed with the cooking skills showed by all the students. With many Territory hospitality venues experiencing skill shortages, it was great to see industry supporting these initiatives, which encourages local school students to take up the challenge of hospitality as their career choice.
National Apprenticeship Competition 2011
The Annual National Apprenticeship Competition, held 25 to 27 October 2011 at Charles Darwin University (CDU), Palmerston Campus, was launched, at Government House Darwin, hosted by the Administrator of the Northern Territory, Mr Tom Pauling AO QC.
On Wednesday 26th October, apprentice chefs competed against their peers in a 3 hour event where they had to cook and prepare an omelette as well as four main courses. They utilised a selection of ingredients, as well as a variety of sponsored local produce. They were judged on presentation, kitchen skills and taste by a panel of Australian Culinary Federation Judges.
National and Local business supported this event including Fonterra Food Services, Meat & Livestock Australia, Krio Krush, Robot Coupe and included our very own Humpty Doo Barramundi, Simon George & Sons and Humpty Doo Apiaries.
The Northern Territory Team consisted of Matthew Cook (Team Manager), Dylan Goodman (1st Year Apprentice), Jacob Preece (2nd Year Apprentice), Aneta Skibika (International Culinary Student) and Benjamin Morris (3rd & 4th Year Apprentice).
Teams, Sponsors and Organisers not only had the chance to cook and compete, but also ventured on a trip to Humpty Doo Barramundi where they caught barramundi. A cruise on the Adelaide River Jumping Croc Cruise was organised on the morning of 27 October- just two opportunities to showcase the unique Territory lifestyle at its best.
A presentation dinner was held that at Skycity Casino. State and Territory teams won a variety of medals. The NT Team members of Dylan Goodman, Jacob Preece and Benjamin Morris were awarded bronze medals while Aneta was awarded a silver medal.
The title for Apprentice Chef of the Year 2011 went to first year apprentice chef, Jacob Hoskin, from Neilson’s Restaurant in Traralagon, Victoria. Well done Jacob!
During the presentation Dinner, Ty Lee was presented Life Membership to the NT Chapter of ACF. Ty was rewarded for his hard work and dedication to the chef profession and the ACF NT Chapter.
ACFNT wishes to thank all local supporters and sponsors – NT Government, Humpty Doo Barramundi, Humpty Doo Apiaries & Skycity Casino Darwin. Also thanks goes to ACF National Office Manager (Deb Foreman) for the excellent organisation of the event.
Written By
David Dunk
Vice President/Secretary
ACFNT
24/11/2011
Photo’s attached:
Photo 1 = Entree dish by Waterfront Bistro (Taste of the Territory)
Photo 2 = Winning Main Dish by Waterfront Bistro (Taste of the Territory)
Photo 3 = Winning Dessert by Virginia Store (Taste of the Territory)
Photo 4 = Group Photo of All Competitors and Organiser of Competition, Antonio Tjung. (Taste of the Territory)
Photo 5 = NT Team Photo (National Apprentice Comp)
Photo 6 = All Teams Group & NT Administrator (National Apprentice Comp)
Photo 7 = ACFNT Members at Government House (National Apprentice Comp)
Photo 8 = ACFNT Members with Ty Lee, Life Member (National Apprentice Comp)
