The twin chefs making waves at Rockpool

AS TWINS, 22-year-olds Samuel and Luke Bourke share a lot — including a mutual love of cooking. With Samuel a junior sous chef at Rosetta in The Rocks and Luke the chef de partie at Rockpool Bar & Grill in the city — it’s a long way from their Penrith start.

Twins Luke and Samuel Bourke. Pictures: Rockpool Dining Group

AS twins, Samuel and Luke Bourke share a lot — including a mutual love of cooking.

The 22-year-olds work at Rockpool Dining Group, with Samuel a junior sous chef at Rosetta in The Rocks and Luke the chef de partie at Rockpool Bar & Grill on Hunter St in the city.

The twins discovered their love of cooking during high school at St Dominic’s College in Penrith.

“Both of us have always had a passion for food and cooking, but it wasn’t until studying hospitality as a subject at school that we knew it was the right career for us,” Luke said.

“We loved it and thought there’s nothing else we’d rather do than cook.”

Bar at Rockpool overlooking the kitchen. Picture: Supplied

Their careers kicked off in 2016 — after finishing high school — when they successfully applied for the National Indigenous Culinary Institute, a training and mentoring program for aspiring Indigenous chefs.

“It was such a fantastic opportunity to be presented with, we couldn’t let it pass us by,” Samuel said.

“It opened up the door to working in some of the best restaurants in Sydney, as well as giving us the basic skills and knowledge to excel in the industry.”

Rockpool's exclusive Richard Gunner's Shorthorn steaks, are only stocked by four restaurants nation-wide. Picture: Hollie Adams/The Australian

They completed work experience and both began an apprenticeship at Rockpool Bar & Grill, working with Rockpool Dining Group culinary director Neil Perry.

After discovering their respective niches, they landed their current roles a year ago and Samuel said they were both “loving every minute”.

“Every day is different and every service is different,” Luke said.

“We work with such talented and interesting people, so we’re always gaining new knowledge from those around us.”

IN OTHER NEWS

The pair were born and bred in Penrith, before moving to Mascot a couple of years ago when they started their apprenticeships.

While the boys now cook in some of the city’s best kitchens, they still keep an eye on the food scene in Penrith.

Samuel said his favourite place to eat locally was High St cafe Henri Marc, while Luke enjoys visiting the recently opened Percy Plunkett on Station St.

For information about the NICE, visit http://nici.org.au