Ellery celebrates his culinary journey

Growing up with a talented chef for a father, he was always warned about the challenging nature of the industry.

“I must have missed the memo because the pursuit of the industry slowly grew within me,” Ellery said.

His journey in hospitality started with a small café job in high school, eventually leading him to TAFE Queensland.

“I remember working in a stainless steel hot box of a kitchen, cooking countless burgers, and thinking - I can do better than this,” he said.

Enrolling in the introductory level Certificate II in Cookery (SIT20421), Ellery started on the path to a career in the kitchen. He gained the basic knowledge required to work in kitchen operations or go on to study further.

He continued his culinary training with Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (SIT30821), gaining greater practical skills to become a chef.

The Cert III honed his cookery skills further, teaching him how to prepare poultry, seafood and meat dishes while continuing to learn how to work effectively in the kitchen while maintaining food preparation quality and safety.

“TAFE Queensland allowed me to do better. Their training allowed my passion to thrive, and the highly qualified teachers brought their experience to the kitchen and shared their knowledge, helping prepare me for a fast-paced career in commercial cookery,” he said.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The early mornings, the late nights, the split-second breaks, and the relentless pace of the kitchen were challenges he had to push through. Yet, with the support of his classmates and educators, he made it.

“I feel believed in,” Ellery said, expressing gratitude for the unwavering encouragement from his teachers. “The support I received at TAFE Queensland was outstanding.”

Beyond the technical skills - learning to perfect sauces, differentiate herbs, and master culinary techniques - Ellery also embraced the more profound responsibility of being a chef.

“Food nurtures us, and chefs nurture the food,” he said.

“We have a responsibility not only to those we feed but also to ourselves. We have the freedom to strive for better and the drive to make change,” Ellery concluded.

With his qualifications, Ellery is stepping into an opportunity-filled future, knowing he’s exactly where he’s meant to be.