MasterChef contestant Matt Landmark shares what makes his school’s canteen a success

A MasterChef contestant and social media star runs this school’s canteen, but students are the real operators, keeping costs low, passions high and school community strong.

Pad see ew, handmade pasta, mochi ice-cream and flame-torched creme brulee on the menu — is this Australia’s best school canteen?

The aroma of freshly baked focaccia wafts through the heritage-listed hall of Albert Park College’s (APC) Year 9 Bay St campus.

Cafe on Bay sits at the centre of the school, serving as an unlikely hub of learning and community.

That’s because it’s the students who run the canteen under the steady guidance of former MasterChef contestant, social media star and teacher, Matt Landmark.

“It’s essentially a five day hospitality intensive,” Mr Landmark said.

“Students come out of class for a week and we try to give them the experience of working in a commercial kitchen.

“So students design the menu, do the food prep, they clean up and do front-of-house service.

Mr Landmark combines his talent and passion for cooking with his career as a teacher to bring the school canteen to life. Picture: Jason Edwards

“By the fifth day we want them to be autonomous and run the cafe themselves.”

The cafe keeps prices low by having students do the work while learning valuable lifelong lessons.

Lunch specials such as curries, homemade pasta and noodles are never more than $9.

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A chicken schnitzel sandwich sets students back $6.50 and the creme brulee is only $3.

The menu is extensive as students bring their own culture into the kitchen, with Greek, Thai and Vietnamese staples often part of the menu.

Albert Park College principal Steve Cook said the affordability and culture around the cafe helps build the community of the school.

The talented Mr Cook is the principal of Albert Park College. Picture: Jason Edwards

“Food is what brings people together,” Mr Cook said.

“Serving food to friends, classmates and teachers builds community, like family around a dinner table.”

Mr Landmark, 32, is a former contestant of MasterChef 2022 and has close to 80,000 followers on his Instagram page @mattstication, making him the perfect person to lead the school cafe.

Year 9 students Gabrielle, 15, and Ivy, 15, said Mr Landmark gave them a lot of freedom and good guidance.

Students: Aldin, 15, Michaela, 14 Ivy, 15 Gabrielle, 15 With Mr Landmark at the Albert Park College canteen. Picture: Jason Edwards

“I like the agency we have,” Gabrielle said.

“Mr Landmark does not tell us what to do, he guides us.

“It’s great preparation for the workplace.”

Students said they bring their cooking skills home to their families’ delight. Picture: Jason Edwards

“He helps us learn new recipes,” Ivy said.

“I’ve also made new friends here too.”

Mr Landmark said the job is as rewarding for him as it is for the students.

“I had the father of a quiet student email me,” Mr Landmark said.

“He was the kind of student who would come to school late and was a bit disengaged, but the father said he’d never seen him so excited to come to school.

“The parent told me his son found a purpose through the cafe.”

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Originally published as MasterChef contestant Matt Landmark shares what makes his school’s canteen a success