Qualified Chef – 4 Years in the Making
Qualified Chef – 4 Years in the Making
Meet Ben H, who studied with HITsa since 2019 and recently completed his qualification: Certificate lll in Commercial Cookery.
In his last completed unit, Plan and Cost, Ben created an amazing seasonal menu of his favourite flavours – Asian cuisine!
Congratulations Ben on all the hard work. This was a qualification that made our day to issue. Here is a testimonial from the man himself:
My story of Food – Believe and Achieve
My love of food came from a young age with my family. I have always enjoyed cooking in the kitchen to provide meals for family, friends and now paying customers – seeing the enjoyment on their faces is what I crave!
During my high school era from 2015 to 2019, I studied food at school and was able to learn fundamental skills like; knife skills, food orders, ingredients and more. In 2018, I completed my Certificate II in Kitchen Operations at Regency TAFE. I was lucky to study with three amazing chefs who taught me so much about the kitchen and how to produce different styles of cooking/dishes and so much other general wisdom about Chef Life . From here I was able to use these learnt skills and knowledge at school and home. I knew in my heart that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
In 2019 I was offered a Chef’s Apprenticeship at the Mile End Hotel and commenced training with HITsa. This was a great year for me, with so many personal and professional achievements. I am a very humble person and have always kept a journal, looking back at the time I started my apprenticeship, I wrote:
“My time at the Mile End so far has been great. I have met amazing people that I know will be there for me when I need support and will be able to teach me across these 4 years and beyond. I’ve learnt so much in the short time I’ve been here – not only about food, but about myself and the Chef I want to become. I can’t imagine how much I will know by end of a 4-year apprenticeship“
Now I am qualified and have reached the end of this chapter. It raises mixed emotions in me of both excitement and sadness. Looking back, it stands out to me how far I have come in my development as a chef from start to finish. Some days I feel like I don’t know enough to be qualified, but deep down I do know it. Every day you learn something new – despite if you are qualified or not!
Training at HITsa, I remember being nervous for the first few classes as I did not know anyone. Once I got used to training, I was able to show my trainer Nicole who I was a as chef and as a person. HITsa accommodate the way I learn best, supporting and helping me across the journey. Throughout my training I learnt new skills, refreshed existing skills and built my knowledge. I enjoyed exploring myself as a chef through the mystery box training. I was able to build connections with others in the hospitality industry along the way.
From the bottom of my heart, I can’t thank everyone who has helped me along the way, from other apprentices, chefs, lecturers, trainers and everyone who has been a part of this amazing journey of mine. I’m so glad that I get to share it with them all, they have all given me their love, support and help.
I am looking forward to the future and seeing what it holds for me in the next chapter.
