WA APPRENTICES, TRAINEES & EMPLOYERS RECOGNISED

Western Australia’s most promising apprentices, trainees and dedicated hospitality employers were acknowledged at the annual Hospitality Group Training (HGT) Awards held at Perth Arena on Tuesday 31 October.
HGT General Manager, Iain McDougall, said “the HGT Awards highlight the importance of apprentice chefs in the workforce and applaud the efforts of employers who are willing to take on apprentice chefs and launch their careers”.
C Restaurant took out the Employer of the Year Award. C restaurant have been an avid supporter of apprenticeships over the last 5 years hosting 10 up-and-coming chefs during this time. This well deserved award recognises C restaurant’s dedication to training the next generation of chefs.
Recent media attention has focused on the problem of worldwide chef shortages from London to New York and emphasises that a chef career is a guaranteed job anywhere in the world.
This year’s ‘Most Outstanding Apprentice’ is Lara Kirby, 19 from Mundaring. Lara was up against 57 fellow candidates and won the John Cox Memorial Trophy.
Iain continued, “HGT employs over 100 apprentices and trainees who are currently working in hospitality venues throughout Perth and regional Western Australia. We want people to know that if they’re deciding on a career path or thinking about a sea-change, hospitality is a great and rewarding career option”.
The Award Winners and their Host Employers.
Most Outstanding 1st Year Apprentice
WINNER: Zachery Tholen – The Shorehouse
Most Outstanding 2nd Year Apprentice
WINNER: Lara Kirby – Sandalford Wines
Most Outstanding Final Year Apprentice
WINNER: Sean Woolford – Hillary’s Yacht Club
School Apprentice of the Year
WINNER: Yasmine Yianni – Voyage Kitchen, Sorrento Beach
School Trainee of the Year
WINNER: Nuraainaa Ramaran – The Brooklands Tavern
School Partnership Award
WINNER: Narrogin Senior High School
Employer of the Year
WINNER: C Restaurant
Quiet Achiever Award
WINNER: Sarah Brunger – The Balmoral Hotel
Ambassador Award
WINNER: Tom Warner – Cantina 663
Most Outstanding Apprentice
WINNER: Lara Kirby – Sandalford Wines