August 5, 2016
Kingaroy RSL employee – and TAFE cooking student – Kylie Leask has earned the right to represent the region at a prestigious Iron Chef cooking competition in Brisbane.
Five students from TAFE Queensland South West battled it out recently for a the chance to compete at the TAFE Queensland Iron Chef Cooking Competition final, and win an all-expenses-paid work experience trip to Japan.
“We are excited to announce that after a gruelling day of competition, Kylie Leask, from Kingaroy, and Jemaima Gaspar, from Toowoomba, will represent the South West region, ” local co-ordinator Jason Ford said.
The competition was announced by Iron Chef Hiroyuki Sakai in April during a live cooking demonstration in Brisbane.
“Each student had to create three dishes containing Chef Sakai’s special ingredient, coconut, including a vegetarian entrée, chicken based main, and dessert using gelatin,” Jason said.
“We also invited two representatives from industry to judge their dishes, provide commentary and feedback, and help prepare the students for the final competition.”
Chefs Chris Clark and Rob Balderson said they were both excited and felt privileged to be part of the day and assist in the judging.
“This type of competition is very intense for the level these students are at, but they handled the pressure very well which is a credit to their teachers,” Rob said.
“It was such a tight competition.
“I thought there would be a stand out from the beginning but it twisted and changed all day, so congratulations must go to not just to the winners but to all of the student competitors.
“These students could very well be working for me one day, or I could be working for them.”
Kylie said managing her time effectively was the hardest part of the competition.
“But I had a lot of fun, enjoyed the day, and developed new skills,” she said.
“For the regional finals I cooked a risotto stuffed mushroom as an entrée, a coconut chicken curry as my main, and for dessert a coconut, orange and chocolate mousse with berry compote.
“The interaction with the industry experienced judges was invaluable, and I’m excited to take their feedback on board for when I compete at the State final.”
The final will be held in South Bank later this month.
