Bendigo’s future as a City of Gastronomy is in good hands, with emerging chefs Damian McCarthy and Ash Coles from Bendigo TAFE recognised amongst Victoria’s best cookery students.
Damian and Ash won a bronze medal each at the Australian Culinary Federation’s Aus TAFE Culinary Trophy State Finals (Victoria) in July, competing with more than 70 of Victoria’s most promising culinary students.
Damian and Ash are poised to join an increasing number of culinary professionals who are part of the solution to significant workforce shortages across Loddon Campaspe’s hospitality sector, where job vacancies in the creative, cultural and visitor economy sector have nearly tripled.*
Over the past five years, Bendigo TAFE has trained more than 530 cookery, hospitality and baking students to fill this growing skills gap.
Notable growth in cookery students over the past year is signaling burgeoning interest amongst locals to contribute to the gastronomic culture of Bendigo, which was recognised as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2019.
This includes two-time AUS TAFE Culinary Trophy medalist Damian who is a key part of the Borchelli Ristorante team. Apprentice chef Damian presented a French two egg omelette, a lamb backstrap au poivre and a citrus medley to earn his second medal.
(Damian McCarthy)
“It's very important for chefs to be constantly learning and looking at new things,” Damian said.
“My experience with TAFE so far has been pretty good. There's been a lot to learn. The older teachers have lots of knowledge and so it's good to learn off them.”
The brains and chef behind Bendigo food truck business “Smoke n Roast”, Ash left behind a ten-year-long mining career to work behind the grill.
“Smoke N Roast started as an idea about ten years ago. (It was) something that I've always wanted to do – the American style barbecue and cooking. I bought the van and built it from the ground up and started the business about three years ago,” Ash said.
“My wife encouraged me to enrol (at Bendigo TAFE). She said it was something that I've always wanted to do, so now was the time to do it.
“I've had a really good experience with the course. I like all the teachers that are here. I've learned a lot of new techniques that I can implement into my business.”
(Ash Coles)
Ash’s award-winning creations – a French omelette, garlic confit chicken as entrée, and a chorizo stuffed chicken roulade as main – were a result of hard work, talent and support.
“I was very shocked that I won a bronze medal. Nicole, my teacher, supported us. We went over recipe ideas with her and then she helped us prepare for a few weeks before the competition,” said Ash.
Damian and Ash are poised to tantalise Bendigo’s taste buds with big plans in mind.
Recently purchasing a restaurant, café and bar, Ash will be running his new venture as chef.
“To become a master chef, I think, would be just to have passion, to get in and have a go. You never know until you try,” said Ash.
With his apprenticeship close to completion, Damian is looking forward to working as a qualified chef in Bendigo while setting aside time to explore cuisines around the world.
“I think that's very important to just keep learning and learning and learning. There's so much within food out there that you can always learn from,” said Damien.
Bendigo was recognised by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Gastronomy in October 2019, joining 245 other creative cities around the world. A first for Australia, the designation recognises the region’s diverse food culture and the community’s commitment to local, sustainable, delicious and creative produce.
Damian and Ash are pursuing the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (SIT30821) at Bendigo TAFE, which also offers a range of courses in cookery, hospitality and baking, as well as Free TAFE** options for eligible students.
Each year, cookery students are invited to partake in the Australian Culinary Federation’s AusTAFE Culinary Trophy state competitions, with the winner in each category to progress to the National Apprentice Competition. The 2024 Victoria state competition saw competitors demonstrating culinary mastery in their choice of omelette, main course and entrée or dessert.
Comments for attributing to Sally Curtain, CEO Bendigo TAFE:
“Bendigo TAFE is incredibly proud to develop the skills of future culinary stars, like Ash and Damian.
“Through world-class vocational education and training, Bendigo TAFE is playing a key role in supporting Bendigo's rich gastronomic heritage and positioning it as a global leader in culinary innovation.”
