The Australian Culinary Federation’s Apprentice of the Year award has been awarded to Joondalup resident Wanda Jansen VanVuuren. The twenty year old won a gold medal in the Third Year Apprentice category. The competition took place across the state, and the finals consisted of 32 competitors selected from 80 apprentice and commercial cooks. The expert panel of judges included Chris Taylor – Executive Chef at Fraser’s, Costa Simatos – Executive Chef at UWA‘s Uni Club and Jochen Beranek – Executive Sous Chef at Burswood.
Wanda had to create an entrée using mushrooms, a main using beef and a dessert using honey. The winner says she loves all cooking but has a soft spot for desserts. Wanda won silver and bronze medals in previous years and was shocked when she found out she won gold. “They read out the bronze and silver winners and when I didn’t hear my name I thought, looks like I’m not a winner this year – then they announced my name for gold. It was a very strange feeling.” Wanda is a student at the West Coast Academy of Hospitality & Tourism and is currently completing her apprenticeship at Joondalup Resort.
Apprentice of the Year Announced
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