Proud To Be A Chef returns for 2022
A once in a lifetime culinary experience for australia’s standout apprentice chefs.
Exemplifying the resilience of the foodservice sector in staying the course during the challenges the industry has faced over the past 18 months, Australia’s leading foodservice mentoring program is proudly returning for 2022.
Entries are now open for Proud to Be a Chef 2022, which will once again give 32 apprentice chefs from across the country the chance to be part of a once in a lifetime culinary experience – just as it has done for more than two decades now.
Over four days the chosen finalists will undertake an all-expenses paid journey
embracing masterclasses, skills workshops, dining at prominent restaurants and invaluable networking opportunities with peers, industry leaders and program mentors. At the conclusion, one outstanding finalist will be awarded the Grand Prize of a Culinary Scholarship tailored to their individual aspirations as a professional chef, with further awards presented for best dishes and best use of social media during the four days of activities.
The theme for 2022 is ‘retro-futurism’, which gives a hint at what the judges will be looking for in the winning entries. Melbourne chef and restaurateur Mark Normoyle of Anchor Food Professionals, returning for his third year as resident mentor, is inviting apprentice chefs from all around the country to enter and also wants executive chefs and business owners to get behind their apprentices and show their support by encouraging them to get their entries in.
“Proud to Be a Chef is a program without peer in our industry and as such it’s a must-do for apprentices who are ready to challenge themselves to take the next step on their culinary journey,” Mark Normoyle says.
“We have had many outstanding finalists who have gone on to become culinary leaders and some of them have returned as mentors to share their experience and insights with the next generation of finalists.
“Proud to Be a Chef forges invaluable relationships which are built on dedication and commitment to quality and which stand the test of time.
“So I would ask all executive chefs and foodservice professionals – anyone who has a standout apprentice working in their kitchen – to do all they can in encouraging them to enter so they’ll have the chance to be part of what is truly a life-changing experience.
“And to apprentices I’d say, put your self-doubts aside and just go for it, because I can assure you we have had many finalists who never thought they’d be accepted into the program, including our Culinary Scholarship winners!”
To enter Proud to Be a Chef, applicants need to complete the online form, submit an original recipe using an Anchor Food Professionals product and explain why they are passionate about food and cookery, where they would like their apprenticeship to take them, and what they are hoping to get out of the program. Entries close Sunday 31 October 2021.
For full details visit www.proudtobeachef.com
5th August 2021