COOKERY QUEEN CLAIMS AWARD
A TOWNSVILLE student has taken out the top honour in the cookery category of the 2018 Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s Salute to Excellence Awards.
Kirwan State High School Year 11 student Jestine Llewellyn was awarded the title at an awards dinner in Brisbane last week.
Jestine said her motivation for entering the Salute to Excellence Awards was a combination of her passion for cooking and the hospitality industry and encouragement from teachers at school.
“I find a lot of interest not just in cookery, but in all aspects of the tourism industry, I just really love it,” she said.
“It’s also a great way to meet people and explore my options as I figure out what I want to do after school.”
Jestine encouraged other students to step out of their comfort zone and participate in the awards.
“Don’t stress, and definitely take the chance if you can,” she said.
Jestine also placed third in the Worldskills Australia National Championships for commercial cookery earlier this year.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the awards celebrated and encouraged the next generation of industry professionals, providing an important link between students and their careers.
“It’s also one of those occasions that is as inspiring for industry representatives as it aims to be for the students and their parents,” he said.
“We congratulate the finalists of the 2018 Salute to Excellence Awards and wish them all an exciting and rewarding career in their chosen field.”
Mr Gschwind said the program was important to promote the career opportunities available for students leaving high school for the tourism and hospitality industries.
“Over the years, we have seen past participants go on to further their studies and build successful careers, from hotel managers and chefs, to travel and event managers,” he said. “There has never been a more exciting time to consider a career in tourism with global tourism growth exceeding most other industry sectors.
“Tourism in Queensland has grown nine per cent in the last year alone and is showing no signs of slowing down.”
The Salute to Excellence Award winners were chosen by a panel of industry- esteemed judges.
Students were short- listed from written applications, to be invited to take part in TAFE Queensland’s Skills Test Day in either the cookery, beverage or tourism categories.
The short- listed students were tested and mentored by industry leaders, including head chefs, HR, business owners and learning and development managers.