Sam overcomes hurdles for Culinary Olympics
20 May 2008
Sam Carstairs (22) has been named West Coast TAFE Apprentice of the Year and will compete with the National Junior Team in the 2008 Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany this year.
A far cry from being teased at school for being overweight, Sam shed a remarkable 60kg and at the age of 17, re-directed his passion for food and chose commercial cookery as a career.
After completing a Certificate II in commercial cookery at the West Coast Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, Sam was recommended for an apprenticeship with the Burswood Entertainment Complex.
Since 2005, Sam has juggled his apprenticeship - which has seen him working across Burswood’s first-class restaurants and in production, butchery and now room service - with his hunger to succeed in the competition world.
In 2007, Sam was named WA Apprentice of the Year by the Australian Culinary Federation and Most Outstanding Apprentice at the Sydney Culinary Challenge.
Sam says that his most recent achievement of being selected to compete in the most prestigious culinary competition in the world “is the icing on the cake”.
“Representing Australia against 2,000 chefs from 40 countries is going to be amazing,” he said. “’It will not only allow me to sharpen up my culinary skills but no doubt present me with various opportunities to work overseas which is my ultimate dream.”
Sam will join fellow Perth apprentices Tam Nguyen, Sam Monks, Daniel Sharp, Sian Cole and Royston Clark to conduct a 15-plate static display and create 110 main courses in four hours as part of the competition.
Director of the West Coast Academy of Hospitality & Tourism and Team Manager for the Junior National Team, Patrick O’Brien is certain that Sam will use his non-Gordon Ramsay approach in the kitchen to impress world-renowned chefs and judges.
“Sam’s warm nature and personal motivation is the perfect mixture for any kitchen,” said Patrick. “His determination, creativity and incredibly high standards make him an inspiring role model for up and coming apprentices and will no doubt see him shine in the competition.”