What inspires you to pursue Hospitality as a Career Path?

I first got a job at Ocean Vibe in Ulladulla.  I started working on the floor there and cleaning dishes.  They gave me a couple of shifts in the kitchen and I really liked that. A job as a dishey came up here at Gwylo and mum encouraged me to apply. It was a chance to learn more and see what all the chefs were doing here.  I handed in my resume and was lucky to get a chance.  I really enjoyed working here and said to Matt if a chance for an apprenticeship came up, I would love to apply. Everyone I have worked with has inspired me to do better and learn more. Doing this has given me a passion for food.  I love eating it, going out and working with great people.  

Why did you want to work in your workplace?

Everyone here at Gwylo is happy and it’s a great vibe, really inviting and friendly.  It was a step up for me to come here. It is a really well run restaurant both back and front of house, always has really yummy food and its different. It’s a great young vibe in the team working here and feels different to anywhere else. The food is always changing and something  to learn.

Where do you want your career choice to take you in the next five years?

I will finish my apprenticeship here in the first three years and learn as much as I can.  I do want to leave when I finish and move to Sydney and Melbourne and keep learning as much as I can.  I do want to get better and keep improving. 

What is the best part of your job?

Everyone here is really nice. All the chefs and other apprentices here always really helpful to me and willing teaching you.  If you want to try something or learn something, they always make time tomorrow to learn or practice something new.  Like the other day we spent some time learning technique in boning a fish.  Everybody is here to help everybody. We’re doing everything together and learning together. 

How important is it to look the part, your presentation, in your job role?

Always have clean uniform, clean shirt, apron and shoes, use deodorant are all important. You only get one chance at a first impression so its important it’s a good one.

What is the most important thing you have to remember when you start your shift?

I like to go for a swim before work.  When I get to work, I get my little list of things I have to do. Try to plan it out a bit, make sure I get everything ready so I get it done before service.  At the start of service, I spend a minute just clear my head a bit so I’m ready.

How has the Gaining through Training experience helped you with your journey so far?

At the start, it was good to meet Di and Paul to learn what it was all about and what we would be doing.  The TAFE Day was good to learn how to do things properly and be prepared for the event we did. It was great to go to all the places we visited.  We got insight and learnt what each of them were doing and how each place  operates differently.  The Altar Bar, we saw more than the Church, we met Tom and saw how he did things and what they do there. Doing the event, particularly the launch, we could see and meet all the different industry businesses from the Shoalhaven that were there.  It gave us the chance to get to know these people and improve our skills. It was great having the mentors with us to help build our confidence. Without them, we could not have done what we did at the event.

Then through the  Food Network we had the opportunity meet Giovanni at his restaurant Pilu at Freshwater.  We met Giovanni and the chef there, had lunch and opened our eyes to see how a 2 hatted restaurant worked and what it was like.  We tried all the delicious the food.  Through Di, we have the opportunity this year to work with Giovanni at one of the events in May, and hopefully go up to the restaurant at Freshwater to do a weeks work experience which is amazing.