Colin Wilson of Chateau Yering, Victoria is the National Winner of the 2009 AUS-TAFE Culinary Challenge.

Colin achieved the highest individual score from judges in the national finals held at Canberra Institute of Technology on the 15th October.

He competed against 35 other first, second and third year apprentices from across the nation to achieve the honour and, in addition to his Gold Medal, receives the grand prize of an international work experience placement.

Colin will also receive a wild card entry into Fonterra Foodservices Proud To Be A Chef 2010 Competition.

The Proud to be a Chef competition is designed to publicly recognise and reward the dedication and commitment of Australian apprentice chefs, giving 30 third or fourth year apprentices the opportunity to participate in two days of master classes conducted by top Australian and international chefs, produce experts and sommeliers. In addition, one participating apprentice also receives the major prize: a once in a lifetime opportunity of a short term internship at a leading international restaurant.

“As primary sponsor for the AUS-TAFE Challenge, Fonterra Foodservices extends its congratulations to Colin for his great achievement,” said Fonterra Foodservices Channel Development Manager Troy Hudgson.

“We know that Colin will make the most of the fantastic opportunity offered by the grand prize and return to Australia armed with expert knowledge which will enable him to further his culinary career.”

The Culinary Challenge is open to all TAFE-registered apprentice chefs in Australia. Regional and state finals are conducted to determine the national finalists. In all, some 1,400 TAFE apprentices compete in the events.

The 2009 Finals saw six apprentices each from Victoria, SA, ACT and NSW (comprising two each from first, second and third year) and four apprentices each from WA, Queensland and Tasmania competing for Gold, Silver and Bronze medals across their apprenticeship year categories.

All finalists had to prepare a three course meal from a given list of ingredients within a specified timeframe. Each was awarded points with the apprentice scoring the highest declared the overall winner.