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Chef ditched his kitchen for dirt
Mark O’Loughlin had spent nearly three decades orchestrating chaos in kitchens. But when life relocated him to the Gold Coast, he realised his true passion had been quietly waiting in the garden all along.
“I’d spent 28 years in kitchens, sweating over stoves and I thought, maybe I’m done with all that heat,” Mark said.
“I just wanted to be outside, digging in the dirt, growing things.”
At 45-years-old, Mark took the leap to change his career and enrolled in the Certificate III in Horticulture (AHC30722 ) at TAFE Queensland’s Ashmore campus, an experience he described as a 'shock to the system.'
“I struggled with computers and assignments at first, but I enjoyed the challenge. I discovered skills I didn’t even know I had,” he said.
But it was the hands-on, practical work where he thrived.
“I’m hands-on, I’ve always loved using tools. When we did the regeneration work, it was like my past and present collided perfectly.”
A real-world community project at Currumbin Community Special School was a highlight. Mulching, planting, watering - Mark dove in, but he also found himself naturally leading, guiding classmates, and sharing what he knew.
“After years of running kitchens, organising people is second nature,” Mark said.
"But helping kids and the school feel proud? That was better than any Michelin star.”
Mark has a vision for his future where his two worlds collide - running a paddock-to-plate restaurant, growing his own produce and serving it straight to the table.
“It’s the perfect blend of my two passions. And honestly, it feels possible now,” he said.
From chef’s hat to gardening gloves, Mark found that sometimes, the second act of life is the one worth waiting for.
“TAFE Queensland gave me more than skills, it gave me joy, purpose, and a reason to get excited every morning,” he said.