Shakayla gets a taste for the Burnett’s food and hospitality industries

Most recently, Shakayla has been collaborating with her classmates to research, prepare and package hundreds of samples of a unique treat – bacon brittle.

Paying homage to the Burnett’s growing garlic industry, the students’ Taste of TAFE Bacon Brittle features sweet harrisa flavours and will be available for BaconFest attendees to sample during the event.

“We’ve included a chilli garlic sauce to add a spicy aftertaste to the sweet brittle,” Shakayla said.

“It adds a completely different flavour to a traditionally sweet treat. It’s really, really nice. You’ve definitely got to try it!”

Partway through her course at TAFE Queensland’s Kingaroy campus, Shakayla is enjoying gaining new skills in the kitchen and meeting new people, while completing her senior studies at Nanango High School.

“It’s fun and I really like cooking, so I want to learn all the different cooking methods — skills I can put to good use when I’m working as well,” said Shakayla.

“I’ve learnt different types of cuts, like how to chiffonade for example. I’m also discovering all the finer details involved with food preparation, including how to quickly navigate a commercial kitchen.”

“Plus, it’s been great making friends,” she added.

Shakayla is studying a TAFE at School Certificate II in Cookery (SIT20421) course in Year 11 to get a head start on her future career.

Year 10, 11 or 12 students can complete a TAFE Queensland course while still at school. Students can study certificate I through to certificate III courses across a range of study areas, from hospitality to horticulture, electrotechnology to automotive, and everything in between.

The career outlook in Australia’s hospitality industry is very strong. According to Australian Government’s Labour Market Insight website, the demand for chefs is set to grow to 92,300 workers by 2026 — an increase of more than 11,200 workers during the 5 years prior.