2011 winners Electrolux Appetite for Excellence

August 09 2011 by Rebecca Varidel in Eating + drinking | 0 Comments

AUSTRALIA’S TOP YOUNG CHEF, WAITER & RESTAURATEUR ANNOUNCED

Last night the Electrolux Appetite for Excellence 2011 national winners were announced at an exclusive reception held at the Electrolux Showcase, Sydney, attended by Australia’s leading chefs, restaurateurs and food industry luminaries.

Perth born Shane Osborn, Australia’s first Michelin starred chef, officiated as guest of honour joining Luke Mangan (Awards co-founder, Glass Brasserie Sydney, The Palace Melbourne, Salt Tokyo) and Head of Electrolux Major Appliances Asia Pacific Gunilla Nordstrom to announce the winners.

The ‘who’s who’ of the culinary world came out to celebrate what is widely recognized as the most prestigious awards in the industry showcasing a hotbed of Australia’s junior talent. Guests included: Peter Gilmore (Quay), Jill Dupleix and Terry Durack, Christine Manfield (Universal), Philip Johnson (Ecco), food commentator Lyndey Milan … oh and me!

The 2011 Electrolux Appetite for Excellence winners across three award categories are:

Electrolux Young Chef
Winner: Richard Ousby, Quay, Sydney
Runner Up: Victor Liong, Marque Restaurant

Electrolux Young Waiter
Winner: James Sexton, Sepia Restaurant & Wine Bar, Sydney
Runner Up: Anthony Moore, Bentley Restaurant & Bar
Judges Acknowledgement: Glenn Mill, Jacques Reymond

Electrolux Young Restaurateur
Winner: Clint Hillery, Time to Vino, Sydney
Highly Commended: Belinda Stapleton, Restaurant Botanica, Hunter Valley

The 2011 Electrolux Young Chef of the Year Richard Ousby was thrilled to take out the top spot in the national program. “It is great to gain recognition for your efforts and be rewarded for the hard work we put in each day. This program has been an amazing experience, I have learnt so much and I look forward to making the most of the future opportunities.”

“I entered the program to test myself and to end up being named the winner was incredible” explained the 2011 Electrolux Young Waiter winner James Sexton. “To gain acknowledgment for your craft whilst benchmarking your skills and knowledge was a great personal challenge and I am absolutely over the moon to win.”

The winners receive a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience to expand their food and wine skills, learn from some of the world’s best chefs and be inspired by an amazing overseas trip.

Co-founded by Luke Mangan and Lucy Allon in 2005, Electrolux Appetite for Excellence is a national hospitality awards program dedicated to educating and nurturing emerging industry professionals.

Over the last few months, the 2011 winners have competed in a range of hospitality challenges to prove their culinary skills including mystery box cook offs, customer service tests, food and wine knowledge tests and one-on-one interviews, all under careful scrutiny from a judging panel comprised of Australia’s leading chefs and hospitality leaders including Mark Best (Marque), Tony Bilson (Bilsons), Peter Doyle (Est), Peter Gilmore (Quay), Guy Grossi (Grossi Florentino, Mirka at Tolarno; Grossi Trattoria, Bangkok), Philip Johnson (Ecco), Christine Manfield (Universal), Georgia North (Becasse; Etch Dining; Plan B; Le Grande Café, Sydney; Charlie & Co), Lisa Van Haandel (Circa, The Prince; Carousel; Longrain Melbourne; The Beach Hotel, Byron Bay),

THE PRIZE POOL

The Electrolux Young Chef and Electrolux Young Waiter prize package comprises of:
• Sanpellegrino offers the Electrolux Young Chef National winner a once in a lifetime experience to represent Australia and compete in the famous S.Pellegrino Cooking Cup in Venice
This is followed by a visit to the source of two of the world’s most renowned mineral waters – S.Pellegrino located in the Italian Alps and Acqua Panna positioned in the hills of Tuscany, where both the Electrolux Young Chef and Young Waiter National Winners will experience the rich heritage, lifestyle and culture of each of the waters

• Return overseas flights courtesy of Virgin Australia and Etihad to attend this event and participation in two weeks work experience at a world leading restaurant
• $3,000 cash to assist with travel & overseas work experience expenses
• The highly-acclaimed title and an accompanying trophy
• Electrolux will provide the establishment of the winner with a selection of premium domestic kitchen appliances of their choice to the value of $5,000

The Electrolux Young Restaurateur prize package offers:

• An unique opportunity from Sanpellegrino with an all-expenses-paid trip to London to attend “The S.Pellegrino Worlds 50 Best Restaurant Awards”
• Return overseas flights courtesy of Virgin Australia and Etihad to attend the London event
• $8,000 cash to be invested in their business under the judges guidance

• Electrolux will provide the establishment of the winner with a selection of premium domestic kitchen appliances of their choice to the value of $5,000