By Rebecca Harris
The finalists in the 2010 Electrolux Appetite for Excellence Awards have been announced today (May 26).
Spanning across three categories – Young Chef, Young Waiter and Young Restaurateur – the competition is aimed at identifying some of Australia’s emerging hospitality professionals.
A national competition, the finalists will meet in Sydney next month (June) to compete in a series of challenges to determine the winner.
Judges on the day will include world-famous chefs Christine Manfield, Guy Grossi, Luke Mangan, Peter Doyle and Tetsuya Wakuda.
“The Electrolux Appetite for Excellence finalists represent Australia’s most promising young hospitality professionals as decided by a panel of industry leaders,” said Mangan, head chef at Glass, Sydney.
“These young people now face an extraordinary challenge and an incredible opportunity to further their careers.”
The 2010 finalists include Peter Kelly, Alchemy Restaurant & Bar (QLD) for Young Chef; Cameron O'Keefe, Scorched Restaurant (VIC) for Young Waiter; and Carl Kenzler, Ritual Restaurant (NSW) for Young Restaurateur.
A Highly Commended category for Young Restaurateur was introduced for the first time, with Time to Vino’s Clint Hillery scooping that Award in NSW.
Prizes up-for-grabs for the Young Chef and Young Waiter include a trip to Italy to represent Australia in the S.Pellegrino Cooking Cup, a visit to the water source of the famous mineral water and $3,000 spending money, while the Young Restaurateur prize includes an all-expenses-paid trip to London and $8,000 cash for their restaurant.