Brett Graham is arguably one of the finest chefs the Hunter region has produced.
Starting as a kitchenhand at Scratchleys on The Wharf and studying commercial cookery at TAFE NSW, he went on to open The Ledbury in London.
The Ledbury has consistently been listed in the top 100 restaurants in the world.
Graham donates his time and talent to promising young chefs in the region through the annual Brett Graham Scholarship, a joint initiative between the Hunter Culinary Association and TAFE NSW.
Each year second or third year TAFE apprentice chefs are put through a rigorous interview and cooking routine, culminating in a cooking contest between the three finalists.
The $10,000 scholarship includes return airfares to London, work placement with Graham at The Ledbury, and enrolment into the Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery at TAFE NSW.
Previous winners have included Troy Rhoades-Brown of Muse Restaurant, Garreth Robbs of Bistro Molines, Chris Thornton of Restaurant Mason, George Mirosevich of Signal Box, and Josh Gregory of Muse Kitchen.
Applications are now open for the 2021 Brett Graham Scholarship. As was the case due to COVID last year, while the applications will be submitted and the preliminary finalists announced this year, the actual cooking competition will be held early in 2022. To enter, email Angela at mail@hunterculinary.com.au.
"It is quite amazing to look back at previous winners and see that they are now our young industry leaders, all in senior or ownership roles, and producing outstanding food in the Hunter," Hunter Culinary Association chairman Gus Maher tells Weekender.
"We find it very rewarding to know that this scholarship plays a big part in perpetuating the Hunter region's reputation as a hotbed of young culinary talent."
Jacob Hobbs, winner of the 2018 scholarship and formerly of Muse Restaurant, had his working stint at the Ledbury interrupted by COVID. However Graham this week confirmed that Hobbs has returned to London to assist with The Ledbury's re-opening in January.
