Up-and-coming TORGAS apprentice chefs

Up-and-coming TORGAS apprentice chefs take their cooking skills to Japan

TORGAS apprentices Aaron Lampton and Samantha Leake had the honour of being selected to participate in the Ehime Cookery School Culinary Exchange study experience. The budding cookery students were amongst five Barrier Reef TAFE apprentices to travel to Matsuyama, Japan with their TAFE teacher Janine Smith.

The culinary exchange program provides an excellent opportunity to learn new skills and put their abilities to the test in the highly regarded world class Ehime Cookery School kitchen.

Third year apprentice cookery student Samantha Leake enjoyed the whole experience of learning about the Japanese culture and the food, particularly the garnishes which were awesome.

And Aaron Lampton who is in his final year of his cookery apprenticeship went to the extreme by eating the deadly Puffer Fish, not once but a few times!

The exchange program is run by the Barrier Reef TAFE, the Townsville Sister City committee and the Ehime Cookery School and was initiated in December 2008.

Farewell at TORGAS prior to departure

L to R: Bronwyn Wheldon, Kylie Voevodin, Samantha Leake, Aaron Lampton and Kylie Morgan