Chef brings home gold at National Skills championships

Sarah’s medal was one of 39 brought home by Queensland’s top trade talent with fellow Gold Coaster and TAFE Queensland apprentice, Bryce Condon awarded bronze for electrical.

The 22-year-old completed her Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (SIT30816) at TAFE Queensland and had spent the past 18 months preparing for the competition whilst working full time at Nineteen at the Star.

“I was very shocked when I won the gold and couldn't quite believe it. But definitely very excited, a lot of work and practise went into the year and a half leading up to the competition and for it to pay off in such a way was more than I could have expected,” said Sarah.

“I felt very proud and honoured to have the opportunity to represent the Gold Coast and Queensland at the Worldskills Nationals.”

The 22-year-old Robina woman said her training at TAFE Queensland gave her the groundwork and skills she needed to be able to plan and create her winning dishes.

To anyone thinking about entering the competition next year, Sarah urges them to take the leap and enter.

“It provides you with so many experiences and opportunities that are one of a kind and allows you to be creative in your field,” she said.

“Even just training for the event I grew so much as a chef and learnt so many different skills and techniques that I might not have otherwise had the opportunity to learn.”

Sarah is now eligible to be selected to join the Australian Skillaroos Team and compete at the 46th WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai, China in October 2022.

This opportunity will allow the young chef to showcase her skills on the international stage, competing against 75 member countries.

TAFE Queensland General Manager on the Gold Coast, Karen Dickinson said that TAFE Queensland has long been a strong supporter of the WorldSkills Australia and to have two students from TAFE Queensland on the Gold Coast bring home gold and bronze is an outstanding achievement.

“My congratulations goes out to all of our apprentices and trainees who competed in this year’s championships. The hours of training and study that each competitor put into the championships is an illustration of their dedication to their trade and something that they should all be very proud of,” Ms Dickinson said.

The WorldSkills Australia National Championships is the largest vocational educational and excellence competition in Australia and biannually competitors travel from across Australia to put their skills to the test across over 50 different trade and skills areas.

This year, over 400 competitors from 34 Australian regions competed for the title of ‘National Champion’ in simulated work environments during the competition. Competitors competed in a range of different skills areas including hairdressing, bricklaying, fashion, plumbing, heavy vehicle mechanics, electrical installation, information technology, retail butchery and cookery — just to name a few.