Electrolux Appetite for Excellence Awards 2012

Electrolux Appetite for Excellence Awards 2012

Electrolux Appetite for Excellence Awards 2012 finalists are decided and the shortlist reveals the best and brightest culinary stars of each state. This elite selection of young chefs, waiters and restaurateurs will continue through the competition to be judged by a panel of judges made up of Australia's hospitality heavyweights.

The Electrolux Appetite for Excellence 2012 finalists are:
Electrolux Australian Young Chef Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Adrian Winoto (Demi Chef, Essence Restaurant, Jupiters Casino, Townsville QLD)
Benjamin Wallace (Sous Chef, Longrain, Melbourne VIC)
Jay Lee (Chef de Partie, Mosaic Restaurant, Westin Sydney, Sydney NSW)
Joshua Gertig (Commis Chef, Hilton Adelaide, Adelaide SA)
Kah-wai Lo (Chef de Partie, Hare & Grace, Melbourne VIC)
Matthew Bugeja (Chef de Partie, Becasse, Sydney NSW)
Michael Fox (Head Chef, Henry and the Fox, Melbourne VIC)
Michael Demagistris (Executive Chef, Sorrento Golf Club, Sorrento VIC)
Nick Street-Brown (Head Chef, Coast Restaurant and Bar, Hervey Bay QLD)
Richard Spencer (Junior Sous Chef, Beaufort St Merchant, Highgate WA)
Richmond Rodrigues (Apprentice Chef, Hilton Cairns, Cairns QLD)
Sarah Knights (Sous Chef, Uccello, Sydney NSW)
Stewart Wesson (Head Chef, Culinetic, Adelaide SA)

Electrolux Australian Young Waiter Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Alexander Tuckett (Asst Restaurant Manager, Pilu at Freshwater, Sydney NSW)
Christopher Sarandis (Sommelier, The Marquis, Adelaide SA)
Christopher Rose (Sommelier, glass brasserie, Sydney NSW)
Damien Byrne (Sommelier, Grossi Florentino, Melbourne VIC)

Guy Barker (Manager, The European, Melbourne VIC)
James Audas (Head Sommelier, BLACK by Ezard, Sydney NSW)
Michael Bascetta (Waiter, Attica, Melbourne, VIC)
Nic Wright (Waiter, The Burlington Bar & Dining, Crows Nest NSW)
Pierre-Etienne Geoffroy (Assistant Manager, Jacques Reymond Restaurant, Melbourne VIC)
Shaun Eto (Senior Waiter, Icebergs Dining Room, Bondi NSW)
Simone Spicer (Senior Waiter, Pei Modern, Melbourne VIC)

Electrolux Australian Young Restaurateur National Finalists (in alphabetical order)
Amelia Birch (The Book Kitchen, Surry Hills NSW)
Daniel Wilson (Huxtable Restaurant, Fitzroy VIC)
Justin Markos (Utopia @ Waterfully Gully, Waterfall Gully SA)
Katrina Birchmeier (Garagistes, Hobart TAS)
Peter Harrington (Sage Restaurant, Braddon ACT)
Rebecca Lines (Bar H, Surry Hills NSW)

The young chef and waiter finalists will be competing for a coveted place on an all-expenses-paid produce tour through the Australian Capital Territory and Southern New South Wales. En route they will meet the passionate producers behind the outstanding quality meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables enjoyed in the country's best restaurants. Every entrant has the opportunity to participate in a one day skills workshop later in the year with food educators and winemakers.

In addition, all participants will receive expert knowledge, guidance, further education and mentorship along the way as they compete for the ultimate prize of being named the 2012 Electrolux Australian Young Chef, Electrolux Australian Young Waiter and Electrolux Australian Young Restaurateur with a truly amazing prize pool.

Lucrative Prizes for Young Talent:
The Electrolux Australian Young Chef and Electrolux Australian Young Waiter Winner prize package includes:
Sanpellegrino offers the Electrolux Australian Young Chef and Electrolux Australian Young Waiter winners a once in a lifetime experience networking with Michelin star chefs; traveling to participate in prestigious events and learn about the source of the world's most renowned mineral waters S. Pellegrino and Acqua Panna in 2013
Return overseas flights courtesy of Virgin Australia to participate in two weeks work experience at a world leading restaurant overseas $3,000 cash to assist with travel & overseas work experience expenses
The highly-acclaimed title and an accompanying trophy
Electrolux will provide the establishments of the winners with a selection of premium domestic kitchen appliances of their choice to the value of $5,000 RRP

The Electrolux Australian Young Restaurateur winner prize package offers:
A unique opportunity from Sanpellegrino with an all-expenses paid trip to London to attend 'The S.Pellegrino Worlds 50 Best Restaurants Awards" in 2013
Return overseas flights courtesy of Virgin Australia to attend "The S.Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards"
$8,000 cash to be invested in their business under the guidance of the panel
Electrolux will provide the establishment of the winner with a selection of premium domestic kitchen appliances of their choice to the value of $5,000 RRP

Judges
Anthony Musarra: The Stokehouse, Melbourne & Brisbane
Bethany Finn: Urban Bistro, Adelaide
Chris Taylor: Fraser's, Perth
Fiona Hoskin: Branch Manager Tasmania, Thermomix
Guy Grossi: Grossi Florentino; Merchant OV Rialto; Mirka at Tolarno, Melbourne; Grossi Trattoria, Bangkok
Luke Mangan: glass brasserie, Hilton Sydney; Salt grill, Hilton Surfers Paradise; Salt/World Wine Bar, Tokyo; Salt grill, Singapore; Salt grill, P&O Cruises
Lyndey Milan: Food and Wine Communicator
Peter Doyle: est, Sydney
Peter Gilmore: Quay, Sydney
Philip Johnson: ecco bistro; ecco bar; Espresso One Eleven, Brisbane
Warren Turnbull: Assiette; District Dining, Sydney; District Dining; Mexico, Auckland;

Electrolux Australian Young Waiter Judges:
Georgia North: Becasse; Etch Dining; Quarter Twenty One; Le Grande Café; Charlie & Co., Sydney
Lisa van Haandel: Longrain, Melbourne; The Beach Hotel, Byron. Luke Stringer: Hamptons Home Living, Brisbane
Sam Christie: Longrain Sydney; Longrain Melbourne
Simon Denton: Izakaya Den, Melbourne
Simon Hill: Bar Alto; Ortiga, Brisbane

Electrolux Australian Young Restaurateur Judges:
Christine Manfield Universal, Sydney
Lucy Allon Co-founder of Electrolux Appetite for Excellence;
Luke Mangan glass brasserie, Hilton Sydney; Salt grill, Hilton Surfers Paradise; Salt/World Wine Bar, Tokyo; Salt grill, Singapore; Salt grill, P&O Cruises
Mark Best Marque Restaurant, Sydney; The Pei Modern, Melbourne

Image: Chef Sarah Knights (Sous Chef, Uccello, Sydney NSW) and the dish that got her through to the finals.