Learning from the best: Cobram Secondary College students will be taught their VET Certificate II in Cookery by Cobram’s very own master chef Antonio Zardo. Pictured (L-R) are Josephine French, Year 11, Kaminee Velumani, Year 10, and Mr Zardo.
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Cobram Secondary College students will get the chance of a lifetime to be mentored and guided in their VET Certificate II in Cookery by Cobram’s very own master chef Antonio Zardo.
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The course will be taught at Barooga Sporties, which have joined in partnership with Cobram Secondary College and have allowed the students access to their commercial kitchens.
Barooga Sporties chief executive Bobby Brooks believes the partnership will help nurture young talent for future careers in the hospitality industry.
“We need to put the skill and the career back in front of these young people and show and demonstrate to them that it can be a great, rewarding career,” Mr Brooks said.
Mr Zardo achieved his cooking certificate in 2012 and completed his Chef Diploma in Singapore.
Pizza time: Antonio Zardo demonstrates the proper way to remove a pizza from the oven for Cobram Secondary students Josephine French and Kaminee Velumani.
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Having worked in hotels with chefs from around the world, he was approached by Cobram Secondary College principal Kimberley Tempest to teach the college’s students.
Mr Zardo will give the students an overview of the culinary industry and the basic skills required to work in a commercial kitchen.
“Students will be learning about knife skills and we'll be learning about hygiene. We'll also be learning about how to cook classic food. It's good to learn the classics of food and start there so then they can branch out into more high-end food,” Mr Zardo said.
Mr Zardo hopes the experience afforded to the students will be one they will never forget.
“I'm hoping that they do develop some passion for the industry and that most of all that they enjoy doing cooking, they enjoy making food for people because that's what it's all about,” Mr Zardo said.
Cobram Secondary College Year 11 student Josephine French is one such student thinking about taking up a career in hospitality. She believes the opportunity to learn under a renowned chef such as Mr Zardo will be invaluable.
“I wanted to get a feel for what it was like to work in a commercial kitchen and just getting hands-on experience,” Josephine said.
Ms Tempest believes the opportunity will help students become “job ready” as well as help plug workforce shortages in the region while encouraging young people to stay local.
Great partnership: Barooga Sporties will play host to the VET Certificate II in Cookery courses. Pictured (L-R) are Kaminee Velumani, Antonio Zardo, Josephine French and Barooga Sporties chief executive Bobby Brooks.
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“Cobram Secondary College has formed a valuable partnership with the Barooga Sports Club, giving students access to a commercial kitchen, thus giving students real-life experience ... combined with the formal qualification (this) will ensure the employability of our students,” Ms Tempest said.
The course is set to begin in 2023 and will join the college’s current VET programs of Community Services, Engineering, Agriculture and Sport and Recreation.
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