Tributes flow for Taylah Anderson, 19, killed in Yamba car crash

Friends and workmates have paid tribute to an aspiring sous-chef who died after a serious crash near Yamba.

Tributes are flowing for an aspiring Maclean sous-chef who has been described as a bright, bubbly young woman with the world at her feet.

Taylah Anderson, 19, died on Wednesday morning after succumbing to injuries sustained from a head-on crash on Yamba Road at Palmers Island on Tuesday.

Taylah Anderson, 19, of Maclean, tragically died in a motor vehicle collision on Tuesday.

Staff at Barbaresco, the Angourie restaurant where Ms Anderson worked as an apprentice chef, closed the business on Wednesday as a sign of respect to her grieving family.

“I’d be happy to keep the restaurant closed for a year if it meant bringing her back,” head chef David Adorno said.

“The Barbaresco family love her so much and we’ll always be proud of her.”

Due to the tragic loss of our beloved Taylah we will not be opening tonight or tomorrow. RIP sweetness

Posted by Barbaresco on Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Mr Adorno said the former McAuley Catholic College student had a special talent in the kitchen that could have taken her anywhere in the profession.

“My lovely apprentice was about to become a sous-chef and she was a prize chef who was a real gun, as they say,” he said.

“She is the only Australian I’ve ever come across who could cook fresh pasta properly and at such a young age, that’s very impressive.”

Proving a talent with her hands both in and out of the commercial kitchen, Taylah Anderson poses with her Year 12 Timber major project in 2019.

Best friend Haylee McPhee said Ms Anderson was a confident, bright and bubbly young woman who never let anything get her down.

“She was the life of the party; she never failed to make you laugh, and it was a contagious laugh with that cute smile of hers,” Ms McPhee said.

“She and I used to go to the beach and just chill there, listening to music or going for a swim.

She said it was peaceful sitting at the beach, talking and laughing together.

“It’s something I’ll always cherish.”

Police are investigating the cause of the crash.