Chef talks up hospitality program
Renowned chef Jeremy Fischer was in town last Tuesday to talk to students at Narrogin Senior High School as part of the FutureNow Hospitality Ambassador Program.
Education, training and industry liaison officer for the Southern Wheatbelt, Prema Sexton, said the 30 students from Years 9-11 who took part in the program were selected because they had shown an interest in hospitality as a future pathway.
“I think it was good for the students to have an opportunity to actually come and see the kitchen working and Jeremy really connected with them,” she said.
“They really enjoyed seeing how the facilities are used and gained valuable insight into hospitality as a pathway and the different areas that can be available in their futures.”
Mr Fischer talked to students about his career as a chef that has taken him overseas to work with Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay.
“Students in Narrogin were really responsive to what I had to say,” he said.
“As well as talking about my background I showed them how to do my recipe, which is a crispy skinned ocean trout, heirloom tomato salad, goat’s feta and white balsamic dressing.”
FutureNow project manager of tourism and hospitality Michelle Sidebottom said she was impressed with NSHS’s new trade training centre, where Mr Fischer cooked his trout.
She said the pilot program was funded by FutureNow and the Department of Workforce Development and supported by key industry associations.
“We started the pilot program in the first half of this year in Perth and in the second semester of the year we’ve started doing our regional visits,” she said.
“It has made students think beyond just being a chef or a waitress and about other opportunities in tourism, hospitality and events that are authentic and realistic employment opportunities.”
marc.simojoki@narroginobserver.com.au
