hta students whip up a golden finish at cooking competition

Students from leading chef training college the Hospitality Training Association Inc. (HTA) have proven they have the right mix of culinary skills, dedication and flair by securing 12 gold medals at a major industry cooking competition held this week in Brisbane.

The Australian Culinary Federation’s Brisbane Salon Culinaire cooking competition was held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 21 to 23 March as part of Fine Food Australia.

Apart from a dozen gold medals, the HTA students also achieved 23 silver medals, 18 bronze medals and certificates of merit. As part of the competition, students had to prepare a range of dishes and displays for a panel of judges, including Head Judge Daniel Hiltbrunner, who is also the Executive Chef at Novotel Melbourne on Collins.

HTA CEO Phillip Charlton said he congratulated the award-winners on their commitment and dedication.

He said the HTA team would now focus on the forthcoming competition is Australian Culinary Federation Queensland Salon Culinaire.

“These awards clearly demonstrate the professional standards and skills instilled in the students by the chefs and trainers at the HTA, and the pride the students have in the tourism and hospitality industry,” he said.

“The development of young chefs is an important focus for HTA which is why we have invested in world-class facilities and highly-qualified trainers to deliver industry-relevant skills and qualifications to our students.”

Australian Culinary Federation President David Clem said he commended the students on the high quality of their work.

“Again HTA has proven and demonstrated the high calibre, professionalism and quality of training their students receive,” he said.

“HTA students consistently perform well in these competitions and the awarding of so many gold, silver and bronze medals recognises the skills they have achieved and the high standard of their work.

“The programs delivered at HTA are industry relevant, taught by industry professionals and to industry standards. In addition they also focus on specialised areas which give students an exposure to skills, knowledge and experience that would take many years of working to acquire and to perfect.

“By training and working alongside master chefs and skilled professionals they are truly lucky and privileged to have such a start to their chosen careers and have these skills passed onto them.”

HTA is a not-for-profit organisation created by the hospitality industry to service the recruitment, training and employment needs of the industry. It provides industry-relevant training and apprenticeships to domestic and international students each year, helping to address the Australian skills shortage and providing internationally-recognised qualifications to launch careers.