SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS
The Hunter Culinary Association is proud of the suite of Scholarships and Awards that support young and aspiring Chefs and Apprentices.
Whilst the Brett Graham Scholarship awards one of the Hunter regions most talented young chefs, our other scholarships are equally important as they encourage and enable younger apprentices to continue with their studies.
Our Front of House Scholarship acknowledges the critical part that professional and committed front of house staff play in the culinary industry.
Hunter Culinary Association Scholarships:
Brett Graham Scholarship - A trip to London to work with Brett Graham valued at $10,000 in partnership with TAFE NSW
Apprentice Scholarships - Awarded to 5 apprentices x $2,000 each
Scarborough Wine Co. Front of House Scholarship - $5,000
Front of House Rising Star
Eustralis Scholarship - Patisserie Masterclass in Sydney including accommodation
UPCOMING AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
2025 Apprentice Scholarships - to be announced soon.
RECENT AWARDS
2024 EUSTRALIS PASTRY CHEF SCHOLARSHIP
Whilst much of what the HCA does is rightly aimed at young and aspiring apprentices and chefs, this Scholarship is an opportunity for an experienced Pastry Chef or Baker, or a Chef whose role and/or aspirations and experience critically embrace a pastry chef role.
Congratulations to this year’s winner Amelia Garrett from Thermidor. This prize is valued at $3,000 and includes a 2 day hands-on masterclass hosted by a guest master pastry chef at L’Atelier by Eustralis including two night’s accommodation in Sydney.
From left: Sebastien Burot, Amelie Garret & Kyle Whitbourne
2024 BRETT GRAHAM SCHOLARSHIP
Well done to the 3 finalists who competed at Hamilton TAFE on October 29th. As always, a pressure filled night saw some wonderful food presented but there can only be one winner of this prestigious and life changing $10,000 London prize.
Congratulations to Leonardo Milan from Flotilla Restaurant. 2nd place went to Lachlan Dowsett from Humbug and 3rd place to Lara Hagan from Circa 1876.
2024 SCARBOROUGH WINE CO. FRONT OF HOUSE SCHOLARSHIP
Sally Scarborough was on hand to present this lucrative scholarship which includes $5,000 for the winner to spend on their front of house career advancement objectives as presented to the judging panel. Congratulation to Yasmine Kelly from Yellow Billy Restaurant who was this year’s worthy winner.
HCA RISING STAR SCHOLARSHIP
This award is to nurture and encourage a young Front of House professional starting out on their career journey. The successful applicant is awarded a Diploma in Hospitality Management from TAFE, along with local dining opportunities and a WSET wine course with Queensland College of Wine Tourism.
Congratulations to the winner Noah Adamthwaite from Margan Restaurant.
2024 HUNTER CULINARY COOKERY COMPETITION
We had a great turn out of young apprentices for the cookery competition at Hamilton TAFE on the September 17th. Congratulation to our winners and well done to everyone who turned up to compete and show off their skills.
Stage 1 - Winner Allen Miller from Scratchleys on the Wharf and Runner up Riley Stewart, Olive Press Brasserie.
Stage 2/3 - Winner Tom Anderson from Restaurant Botanica and Runner up Cooper Locke, Aria.
These apprentices received knife vouchers for The Blade Runner Newcastle to add to their kit along with the winner of stage 2/3 being offered a Stage in a top restaurant in Sydney and $500 travel money.
2024 HCA EMERGING APPRENTICE SCHOLARSHIPS
One of the core aims of the Hunter Culinary Association is to support and encourage young and aspiring industry professionals to enable and encourage them through to the completion of their Apprenticeship.
The HCA Emerging Apprentice Scholarships are aimed at 1st year apprentices, to assist them in setting up their kit and engaging in the Hunter food scene with prizes of knives, knife roll and dining vouchers. This year’s scholarship winners are:
Abbey May Gallagher, Kims Beachside Retreat
Lachlan Duncan, Saddles Mount White
Sarah Schofield, Blaxland Inn
Silas Newton, Scratchleys on the Wharf
Isabella Lojewski , Equium Social
Winners attending Food Fight presentation from left - Abbey May Gallagher, Lachlan Duncan, Sarah Schofield & Silas Newton
