The Sydney Institute and Northern Sydney Institute have initiated a new industry driven training program – Appetite for Success – designed to develop and groom tomorrow’s leading chefs and cooks to ensure they have a long, successful and balanced career in the hospitality industry.
Participants in the program will receive special training from high-profile mentors.
“The reality of being a chef in today’s market requires a multitude of skills,” Matt Kemp, Head Chef and owner of Restaurant Balzac said.
“To be successful we know cooking is an element but it is just one …

The NSW Food Authority has released new data on several eateries who have failed to comply with the Food Act.
“A number of Sydney CBD eateries have been identified in recently finalised prosecutions with a combined total of almost $30,000 in fines and costs issued to four businesses in Hunter St for various breaches of the Food Act,” Minister Steve Whan said.
“Some of these offences include such unpalatable acts as food, waste and grease build up and the failure to eradicate and prevent the harbourage of pests with live cockroaches, rodent …

With the chill of winter well and truly upon us, the risk of viral gastro contamination heats up.
Primary Industries Minister, Steve Whan is urging chefs and cooks to take care in the kitchen during the peak viral gastro season.
“This warning applies particularly to those food industry professionals who come into contact with the preparation and service of food for hundreds, if not thousands of people,” Minister Whan said.
“If you’re crook don’t cook is a good basic rule to apply in the workplace.”
“Under the Food Standards Code it is illegal for …

The Bavarian Hospitality Group has been fined $3750 in the Chief Industrial Magistrate’s Court of NSW for underpaying hundreds of its bar staff.
Chief Industrial Magistrate Gregory Hart imposed the fine yesterday following a prosecution by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
The company admitted inadvertently underpaying approximately 1018 casual employees a total of $334,000 between October, 2007 and November, 2008.
The employees worked at Lowenbrau Keller (CBD), Bavarian Bier Café (Manly, York Street, O’Connell Street, Entertainment Quarter and Parramatta), Uber Bar (CBD) and The Argyle (CBD).
Fair Work inspectors discovered the underpayments last year during …

Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald has stated that a Listeria food poisoning outbreak on Virgin Blue airlines flights has been linked to NSW company, GMI Food Wholesalers Pty Ltd (trading as Australian Poultry and Food Wholesalers).
“Results of thorough testing conducted by the Food Authority and Queensland authorities show that the Listeria bacteria came from a cooked, diced chicken product supplied by the company to a Virgin Blue food supplier,” Mr Macdonald said.
A national public health alert was triggered recently when Queensland health authorities reported that two pregnant women gave birth …

There has been a call for greater education of workplace hygiene in Australia.
To coincide with The Australian Food Safety Week in November, the 2009/10 edition of the Restaurant & Catering Australia’s Guide to Food Safety & Hygiene will officially be out.
The Guide, which is being sent out free of charge, explores correct and appropriate procedures that assist in good workplace hygiene.
Restaurant and café staff are asked to ensure they tell their supervisor if they are suffering from an illness that may contaminate the food and in all instances it is …

The NSW Government has unveiled an action plan to tackle the growing global problem of food security, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said today.
The Minister unveiled the plan, Research for Action – Productivity and Food Security, as part of a major food security forum held in Sydney today, featuring experts from science and industry.
”Food security is one of the biggest issues facing our planet,” Mr Macdonald said.
”Today’s event in Sydney brings together some of the brightest minds, including leading scientists and industry experts, to look at how we can …

According to the Qld Government, Native violets, Kakadu plums and wattle seeds are among a bunch of native Australian flavours fast creeping to the top of chef’s ingredient lists in restaurants around the country.
Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (QPIF) scientist Heather Smyth said chefs wanted to see native products from Queensland producers move from the novelty arena onto mainstream restaurant menus.
“Chefs see enormous commercial potential for native foods if used carefully with food that consumers already know well,” she said.
“Some of these dishes include Davidson plum sauces with pork, riberries …

A NSW Government crackdown on illegal “backyard ” meat processors in Sydney has shutdown seven unlicensed operators from selling high-risk smallgood products
Inspectors from the NSW Food Authority targeted illicit meat processors, issuing prohibition orders, and confiscating almost 120 kilograms of homemade nem chua – a Vietnamese-style fermented pork mince.
“The Food Authority made ten seizures of the pork product from various illegal processors operating from residential premises that were being sold to butchers’ shops, restaurants and private consumers,” Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said.
“The operation began in March and is ongoing, …

Kylie Kwong was special guest at the launch of the new ‘Trust Organic’ campaign and new Australian Standards for the organic and biodynamic food industry at Novotel Darling Harbour on Friday 9th october.
The Novotel was chosen as the venue for the launch because the hotel has introduced new healthy lifestyle food options and an innovative selection of organic, gluten-free and low-GI menu items.
The Australian Standard for organic products will help to ensure consumers of truth in labelling for organic products and will identify only organic produce that meets strict guidelines.
Novotel …