Ben's passion for cooking drew him to a career

Ben got his first taste for working in the kitchen when he was at school and got a job washing dishes at Rebecca’ Café in Port Fairy.

That job then turned into making cakes, slices and ice-cream at the café before he branched out in a totally different direction.

“I’d finished school and I ended up in a few different jobs. I did a cabinet making apprenticeship and then worked in real estate for 18 months,” he said.

During this time Ben had always had a passion for cooking in the back of his mind and when he saw an advertisement for an apprentice at The Pavillion Café, he jumped at it.

Ben started in a role as a kitchen hand before taking on an apprenticeship.

“I absolutely love it. Working in a kitchen has its challenges but it also has so many rewards. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.

“I’ve always had a passion for food but it’s the adrenalin rush at service time that I love most,” he said.

Ben said he had a desire to continue learning and one day become a head chef.

He said the skills he had learnt at TAFE had set him up so well to feel confident in the kitchen at his workplace.

“I just want to keep learning and become the best apprentice I can be,” he said.