Media releases

Federation TAFE student and rising culinary star, Alexis Saville has been named Apprentice of the Year at the 2023 Golden Plate Awards, the second year running she has won the prestigious title.

The Golden Plate Awards which showcase and celebrate the best of regional Victorian hospitality were announced on Monday 27 November in front of more than 100 of the state’s culinary industry at Geelong venue, 1915.

Alexis recently completed the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery at Federation TAFE under the supervision of teacher, Murray Lewis.

She began her career in the kitchen as a Federation TAFE Vocational Education and Training Delivered in Secondary Schools (VETDSS) student before commencing an apprenticeship with Beppe Bar & Kitchen then transferring to celebrated contemporary Japanese restaurant, Kadota in Daylesford last year where she works under Chef, Aaron Schembri.

Kadota took out the main prize at the Awards being named the 2023 Gold Plate Winner, as well as winning the Best Contemporary Dining Award.

More information on Federation’s  Free TAFE Certificate III in Commercial Cookery course can be found here: https://study.federation.edu.au/course/DJAW.

Quote attributable to Federation TAFE Commercial Cookery Teacher, Murray Lewis:

“Alexis is a very talented chef who has worked exceedingly hard and thoroughly deserves this award. She is going from strength to strength in the Kadota kitchen and displaying skills beyond her years. Studying at Federation TAFE ensures the best possible outcomes for our students.”

Quotes attributable to Federation TAFE Commercial Cookery student, Alexis Saville:

“I feel very proud to win the Golden Plate Apprentice of the Year Award for a second year in a row especially as the competition guidelines changed this year. Last year I was given a recipe to follow but this year we had to use our own creativity and develop a menu item, workflow and recipes that followed the set criteria. I owe a lot of my success to all my teachers at Federation TAFE and the mentors I have worked under.”

“In future I would like to continue honing my skills at Kadota, and work my way up into a management role whilst I work out exactly which direction I take my career in. Wherever I land I hope to always be involved in the local food scene, supporting and producing good quality and creative food.”