Local cookery apprentice awarded prize at Bundaberg TAFE

A serious back injury as a teenager became a turning point for a young Bundaberg apprentice chef who is quickly making a name for herself in the industry.

Hannah Brougton was awarded the Zonta Club of Bundaberg’s TAFE Queensland Bursary prize.

When Hannah Broughton suffered a serious back injury from being thrown from a horse at the age of 17, it became a life-changing moment in more ways than one.

Forced to sell her dog grooming business due to the injury, Ms Broughton had some time to reflect on the life goals that she truly wanted to pursue.

“It was a wake up call where (I realised), you don’t have forever to do what you want,” Ms Broughton, 25, said.

She decided then to pursue the culinary career that had been her childhood dream.

“I thought if you get this opportunity, do it,” Ms Broughton said.

Hannah Broughton with Le-Anne Allan and Jenny Maier from the Zonta Club of Bundaberg.

“Because you could end up hurting your back again and not be able to walk, and you’re not much good in the kitchen if you can’t walk.”

After a year cooking for Macadamias Australia, she was offered an apprenticeship with Mollydookers Cafe and Bar in Childers.

She has since been honing her culinary skills at the fine dining restaurant while undertaking a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery at the TAFE Queensland Bundaberg campus.

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On Monday, March 13, Ms Broughton’s persistence, dedication and talent were recognised with her being awarded the Zonta Club of Bundaberg’s TAFE Queensland Bursary prize.

The award and $500 cash prize recognises a female TAFE Queensland Bundaberg campus student who is committed to further education, training and employment in a variety of non-traditionally female fields including cookery.

Hannah Broughton was awarded the Zonta Club of Bundaberg’s TAFE Queensland Bursary prize.

“This is a well-deserved and fantastic outcome for Hannah who’s not only a hardworking, creative and committed student who does us incredibly proud but also embodies the spirit and success of TAFE Queensland,” TAFE Queensland general manager East Coast region Ana Rodger said.

Ms Broughton has found the Commercial Cookery course to be a great avenue for connecting with professionals in the field.

“(TAFE Queensland) East Coast has been excellent – the opportunities that they provide all of their students to volunteer with some really amazing people is really great,” Ms Broughton said.

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As a person with autism and ADHD, Ms Broughton singles out her Commercial Cookery teacher, Bernice Sildatke, for praise in providing a supportive learning environment.

“Bernice is amazing – I can’t sit still for very long, and I have quite a hard time concentrating, but she just has this way with people,” Ms Broughton said.

“It just feels like a safe, wonderful learning environment – it’s really been life changing, honestly, the opportunities that I’ve gotten here.”

Bernice Sildatke, Ms Broughton’s Commercial Cookery teacher.

Mrs Sildatke said the feeling was mutual.

“Hannah is one of the most promising and motivated students so I’m not surprised at all that she’s won this award which is a fantastic recognition of her talent,” Ms Sildatke said.

“Teachers at TAFE Queensland are passionate about supporting our students to get the skills they need by working closely with them and industry to provide relevant training solutions and Hannah makes my job so easy and rewarding.”

Ms Broughton dreams of opening her own restaurant and revolutionising the approach to food in the vein of one of her idols, Heston Blumenthal.

“I want to make food fun again – I want people to come and have fun and enjoy their food, almost like a Heston Blumenthal kind of vibe,” Ms Broughton said.

“Food can be fun, and I want people to see that.”

One thing is for sure, Ms Broughton will be making the most of every opportunity that comes her way.

“You can’t wait around for these things to just fall in your lap – you have to take the initiative and go out there and do it.”

Originally published as Local cookery apprentice awarded prize at Bundaberg TAFE