A flavourful apprenticeship | Sarina Russo

A flavourful apprenticeship

By Sarina Russo Editorial Team
A flavourful apprenticeship
SRA Apprentice, Kelly Walker with Anton Ram-Bawn, Head Chef at Ivory Tavern and Deborah Joyce, SRA Industry Consultant

For Kelly Walker, a passionate aspiring chef, her dream job was clear: to become a skilled practitioner of Commercial Cookery. This dream was not only a personal passion but a cultural calling—a desire to master the art of cooking traditional Aboriginal food and share it with people.

Kelly's journey to realising her culinary dream was facilitated through the support of Sarina Russo Apprenticeships (SRA), an organization committed to connecting individuals with opportunities that enable them to pursue their career aspirations.

Her pursuit of her dream job took shape through an apprenticeship in Certificate III in Commercial Cookery at Ivory Tavern and Marina at Tweed Heads. This apprenticeship represented not only a path to professional growth but also an opportunity to embrace and preserve her Aboriginal culinary heritage.

The journey to find the ideal apprenticeship often involves collaboration with various stakeholders. In Kelly's case, a Recruitment Advisor from ETC referred her to the SRA Industry Consultant, Deborah Joyce. This collaboration exemplifies the synergy between organisations and individuals committed to creating meaningful career opportunities. Deb works diligently to identify and secure apprenticeships and traineeships for our participants. In partnership with ETC, they recognised Kelly's potential and her dream, guiding her toward a culinary apprenticeship that perfectly matched her aspirations.

At Ivory Tavern and Marina, Kelly found herself under the mentorship of Anton Ram-Bawn, the head chef with a remarkable journey of his own. Anton had been with the company since the age of 18, and his culinary expertise and passion for the art of cooking were undeniable.

Under Anton's guidance, Kelly embarked on a transformative apprenticeship journey, learning not only the fundamentals of Commercial Cookery but also had the privilege of being mentored by someone who shared her passion for creating exceptional dishes. 

Kelly's journey showcases the transformative power of apprenticeships, where passion meets profession and dreams become reality. If you or someone you know is ready to embark on a fulfilling apprenticeship journey, we encourage you to reach out to Sarina Russo Apprenticeships. Our commitment to connecting individuals with their desired career paths ensures that dreams, just like Kelly's, can flourish and can have the potential to leave a lasting impact on an industry.

For more information, call 1300 178 776.

Sarina Russo Group acknowledges the First Nations Peoples of this Country, the traditional custodians connected to the land, water and community on which we live, work and help others to live their best lives. We also pay respect to the Elders past, present and emerging, who strive to build a better and more sustainable future for future generations to come.