TAFE Sydney Institute – Award-winners cook up a recipe for success

Julie Edmunds, this year’s winner of the prestigious TAFE NSW-Sydney Institute Medal and Apprentice of the Year Award is achieving more than she imagined at only 21 years of age.

Recently graduating from the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery at Ultimo College, this masterchef of the future has already worked at some of the best restaurants in Sydney including Justin North’s Becasse, Neil Perry’s Rockpool, Aqua dining and Mark Best’s Marque, where as an apprentice she was in charge of the pastry section for 18 months.

Like the other award winners, Julie is following her passion, using her TAFE NSW-Sydney Institute training to take her to the UK in June, to begin a three month Stage at the famous The Waterside Inn, Bray, UK.

“Without the expertise and the support of my teachers I would not have been so successful. They pushed us hard to learn skills from developing sauces to managing the books - the practical experience I received at TAFE’s The Apprentice restaurant was also priceless. I am currently applying all these skills at work and will definitely use them once I open my own restaurant” said Ms Edmunds.

Julie is one of twenty two graduates being honoured at this evening’s annual TAFE NSW-Sydney Institute Student Excellence Awards. Other achievers include Industry Award winners like Elva Munzelfeld who changed careers from administration to laboratory technology with the aim of contributing to medical research, Toby Clare who used his carpentry training to support volunteer projects in Samoa and International Student of the Year Atif Prince who will apply his community services training in his new role supporting refugees.

These graduates were acknowledged for their outstanding academic and community achievements by Ms Gabrielle Upton MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Tertiary Education and Skills and Mr David Riordan, Institute Director.

“Tonight we celebrate the success of twenty two amazing and diverse graduates. All of whom are marvellous ambassadors for their chosen career, industry and for vocational education and training and what it can achieve,” said Ms Upton.

“There are over 500,000 enrolments at TAFE NSW each year and tonight’s award winners highlight just how studying at TAFE can help you become more than you imagine.”

Photo: Susan Hartigan Deputy Director-General, Ray Williams MP, and Francesca Saccaro Relieving Institute Director. Photo by David Glazebrook.