Australia's largest apprentice chef competition concluded in exciting style on Tuesday (7th September 2010) with the Grand Final event held at Northern Sydney Institute TAFE - Ryde College.

Forty apprentice chefs competed on the day - winners across the nine regional NSW heats  and four "judge's choice" wildcard entries - for the winner of each year and an overall "Chairman's Award".

Each apprentice had to produce two, three-course meals. One to be given to a panel of ten experienced judges, and one meal to be displayed to the public.  Over the course of the series (beginning in April 2010), over 280 apprentices from all manner of establishments entered.  From high end fine dining restaurants to clubs, hotels, cafes and even the Royal Australian Navy.

The first place in each year receives $2500 with the other places receiving vouchers from Fraser and Hughes. 

The quality of food produced was exceptional and the scores were tight with the winners announced at a presentation in the afternoon:

First Year:

Winner:                Sophie Hedges - Roberts Restaurant

 Second:               Ryan Stanley - The Cowrie

 Third:                   Joshua De Luca - Park Hyatt

 Merit:                  Matthew Liang - Rydges Paramatta

Second Year:

Winner:                Mieko Shimoda

Second:                Cassandra Hardinge - The Depot on Darby

Third:                   Mandy Rovacchi - Bar Reggio

Merit:                   Mackenzie Hoy - Wolgan Valley Resort

Third Year:

Winner:                Matt Walton - Restaurant Como

Second:                Zen Jay Ong - Aqua Dining

Third:                   Kayla Blanch - Crowne Plaza Terrigal

Merit:                   Kathleen Mitchell - The Sebel Resort

Fourth Year:

Winner:                Stephanie Coupland - est

Second:                Shui Ishizaka - Rockpool

Third:                   Garreth Robbs - Bistro Molines

Merit:                   Tegan Morgan - Letterbox Restaurant

HTN Chairman’s Award:        Stephanie Coupland – est

Encouragement Award: Genna Umback - First Year - Merimbula Lakeview          

Congratulations, not only to the winners but to every apprentice who competed in the 2010 series.  Next year promises to be bigger and more competitive.

HTN is a not for profit, group training organisation established by industry