THE HOSPITALITY YOUTH SKILLS SHOWCASE 2008 - Golden Globes

Over 100 of Western Australia’s hottest young apprentice chefs and hospitality trainees showed off their skills in spectacular style at the 10th Hospitality Youth Skills Showcase held on Sunday 25th May 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Perth.

The gala event proudly coordinated by Hospitality Group Training WA treated 500 guests to a sumptuous 5-course dinner, a range of fabulous fine wines, and an entertainment extravaganza.

The evening was opened by The Hon John Hyde MLA and hosted by Christina Morrissy.  Guests included government and opposition ministers, national and state presidents of major hospitality & tourism industry organisations, media personalities, leading executive chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers and the supporting public.

The kitchen brigade responsible for designing and creating the spectacular 5-course menu around a Golden Globes theme was lead by a team of determined young adults employed by Hospitality Group Training:

Justin Mason and Jenni Myhill, Acting Executive Chefs and 2nd and 3rd Year Apprentice Chefs with host employers – Hyatt Regency Perth and The Royal respectively, Rachael Sterrett and Peter Pangestu, Acting Chef de Cuisines Appetiser/Entrée and 2nd year apprentice chefs with host employers – Mercure and Hyatt respectively, Daniel Jackson, Acting Chef de Cuisine Main Course and 2nd year apprentice chef with host employer – 150 East and Marion Wilkinson, Acting Chef de Cuisine Dessert and 3rd year apprentice chef with host employer Rydges. A specially selected team of hospitality students from West Coast Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, Challenger TAFE and Swan TAFE provided food and beverage service throughout the evening.

Entertainment was provided by an array of incredibly talented young performers including the vibrant Big Heart Choir, singing sensations Mia Slayford and Chelsea Gibson, and the  Xposure trio.  Tropical Funk Merchants provided a colourful Capoeira dance spectacular, whilst the evening finished off with cover band Scope.

The highlight of the evening was a spectacular parade of the apprentices and trainees involved in the Showcase, together with hospitality industry award winners from the past 12 months.

The Showcase was generously supported by the Department of Education & Training as well as many hospitality food and beverage suppliers.

Iain McDougall, General Manager of Hospitality Group Training said the Showcase highlighted the positive aspects of youth employment, and was a fantastic opportunity to publicly celebrate the contribution that young people make to the success of the industry.