They headed into the commercial kitchens at the Tamworth and Armidale TAFE campuses this week to prepare three courses for the WorldSkills judges.

WorldSkills Australia’s national program of regional competitions is held biennially across 31 regions in Australia, including New England. 

Apprentices, trainees and students under the age of 23 are able to participate, and regional medallists go on to compete at the national level.

This week, students were judged on three dishes throughout the course of the day: a vegetarian entree, poultry main course and dessert duo of the students’ choice.

TAFE New England cookery teacher and WorldSkills judge Cameron Falzon said the competition included a series of skill-specific tests designed by industry experts that focused on unearthing talent in young Australians undertaking a trade or skill-based career.

“WorldSkills provides students with a platform to test their skills, overcome nerves and use their creativity,” he said.

“I have been a WorldSkills judge at a national level for many years, which provides an opportunity for me to pass on my insight into the competition to our students.”

Mr Falzon also knows the pressure the students are under, too, representing Australia at WorldSkills in South Korea in 2001.

The results of this week’s competitions can’t be revealed at this stage, but the students who secure first places will proceed to the WorldSkills Australia national competition in Melbourne in August of next year.