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Cookery students to shine at BaconFest 2024
This year, TAFE Queensland’s Kingaroy based cookery students are set to make a sizzling impression at BaconFest on Friday 16 – Sunday 18 August, 2024.
The annual festival, celebrated for its love of all things bacon, will see these talented students serving guests at the highly anticipated Wine and Swine event and rubbing shoulders with celebrity chefs.
The Wine and Swine event is one of the highlights of BaconFest, where guests indulge in gourmet dishes paired with fine wines and, this year, TAFE Queensland’s cookery students will be assisting the event caterers serve hundreds of guests.
Under the guidance of Kingaroy’s own celebrity chef, and TAFE Queensland Leading Vocational Teacher, Jason Ford, the students have been preparing to help deliver an unforgettable dining experience.
“Our group of students have been working hard to prepare for the event and can’t wait to be involved,” said Jason.
“BaconFest is not just about food; it’s a celebration of community and local talent.”
“The involvement of our cookery students highlights the festival’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of chefs. By participating in such a high-profile event, the students are gaining invaluable real-world experience that will serve them well in their future careers.”
From left to right: Anatoli Kuchtin, Jack Stevenson and Ella Gould working together during their weekly TAFE at School Certificate II in Cookery (SIT20421) class.
One of the most exciting aspects of BaconFest for the students, however, is the opportunity to meet celebrity chefs.
A number of renowned culinary experts will be present at the festival — Alastair McLeod, Justine Schofield, Dan and Steph Mulheron, Maggie Dmochowski and Matt Golinski — sharing their knowledge and passion for cooking during fun, engaging demonstrations over the course of the two-day festival.
The students will have the chance to witness these chefs in action, plus meet Justine Schofield personally, gaining insights and inspiration that will undoubtedly enhance their culinary journey.
Partway through their TAFE at School Certificate II in Cookery (SIT20421) course, these aspiring young chefs have been gaining hands-on experience in the Kingaroy campus training kitchen, learning how to use commercial equipment and support live service while training with the best in the industry.
Preparing seafood, meat and poultry dishes, creating stocks, sauces and soups, and learning the art of pairing herbs and spices with key ingredients, are also important aspects of the commercial cookery courses taught by Jason Ford.
The students assisted the caters with Relay for Life's Dinner with the Champions event on Saturday 27 July, 2024.