By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
LYNBROOK trainee chef Christel Darion will be among alumni such as renowned chef George Calombaris as she takes on a Masterchef-like competition next month.
A cooking student at Dandenong’s Chisolm Institute of Tafe, Christel, 27, is one of 32 finalists in the Australia wide ‘Fonterra Proud to be a Chef’ (FPC) competition.
The celebrated FPC intensive educational program will give one lucky winner $7500 to spend on an international culinary paid placement, exclusively tailored to their aspirations as a professional chef.
If won, a placement that would take Christel back to her French roots as she aims to pursue a career in pastry.
“I was so happy to become a finalist, it’s already so great for me, even if I don’t win,” Christel said.
“I would love to have my own pastry shop that’s one of my dreams, coffee and pastry.”
Born in France, Christel arrived in Lynbrook just over a year ago and currently works as a kitchen hand in an Italian restaurant.
And she hopes her experience in the 17th annual FPC puts her in good stead for a full-time restaurant job.
“I am looking forward to gaining new experiences, meeting other young chefs like myself and learning from the mentors,” Christel said.
The four-day culinary extravaganza will have the finalists cooking their own recipe for the judges, participating in masterclasses and dining at some of Melbourne’s most exciting restaurants.
Christel hopes to have practiced her recipe four times before she cooks for her future but says she’ll be proud of herself no matter the outcome.
“It’s such a great opportunity for me and to have competed in something George Calombaris has in the past is an honour,” she said.
Christel and the finalists will be mentored by esteemed Australian culinary leaders Anna Polyviou, executive pastry chef at ShangriLa Hotel in Sydney; Josh Pelham, head chef at ESP and Estelle in Melbourne; and Peter Wright, foodservice expert and global event specialist.
A passionate kitchen hand, Christel said cooking was as much a hobby as it was a job.
“I read a lot about cooking,” she said, laughing.
“Whenever I have time I buy cooking books and YouTube recipes, the internet is full of inspiration for me.”
