THE BACKGROUND

The 2020 IKA Culinary Olympics will be held in Stuttgart, Germany from February 14 - 19, 2020. This competition, which attracts competitors from more than 70 countries, is the most prestigious, colourful and oldest international exhibition of culinary arts.

Thousands of competitions take place in five massive halls with accompanying special events and trade shows. In 2020 Australia is sending a National Youth Team, comprised of six young chefs, who will be competing against the best from around the world.

Australia, and in particular Perth, has a successful track record at this event, with the best ever Australian result, having won four gold medals in 1996, under the direction of Adrian Tobin. More information about the 2020 event can be found at https://www.olympiade-der-koeche.com/en/

We are raising funds to send two Aboriginal students to attend the 2020 Culinary Olympics to be held in February in Germany.

DJINDA NGARDAK- CULINARY PROGRAM

Two students have been selected from the Djinda Ngardak program and are studying hospitality or kitchen operations. Djinda Ngardak is a culinary camp for Aboriginal youth from across Western Australia: they have been selected to work with Western Australia's best chefs, Aboriginal elders and industry professionals.

This is an intercultural opportunity focusing on bush foods and career pathways in food, agriculture and tourism.

These two young ladies will accompany the Australian National Youth
team.

OUR VISION

We want representation of Australian First People (Aboriginal youth) at the Culinary Olympics in Germany 2020.

We would like to immerse and showcase these Aborginal youth in culinary pathways on the world stage.

THE CRITERIA

We are looking for someone who is genuinely proud of their culture, has self confidence and is happy to share their culture with others.

They need to have an interest in food and a desire to learn and embrace new experiences.

They will need to be a good team player, good communicator and willing to help whenever needed.

SHALEEKA

Is a young Aboriginal Nyikina/Djugun woman from the Kimberley Region.

She was a valued member of the Follow the Dream program - a program for high-achieving Aboriginal students. It was here where Shay-Shay excelled in the hospitality program and made the decision to become a chef after graduation.

She is enrolled in Commercial Cookery at TAFE in 2020.

Identified at this years Kinjarling Djinda Ngardak Program, her dreams of working with her mentors are now a reality.

RISHAYE

A young Aboriginal a Nyikina Gooniyandi woman from Fitzroy Crossing. I lived in a small own where everyone knew everyone. The nearest Coles/Woolworths is 400kms away.

Rishaye's family are the custodians of the land. At a very young age she was introduced to world of tourism. Sharing ancestor’s stories of her Country to those who visited and wanted to learn more about Aboriginal culture.

Rishaye recently graduated from Northan SHS and has been a Youth Ambassador to the Djinda Ngardak program mentoring Aborginal youth from all parts of Western Australia.

MENTOR/TEACHER DEE HEDLAND

Deanne Hedland is a proud Noognar women from Yued Boodja. She was born in Dalwallinu and grew up in Ballidu which is her grandmothers country.

Deanne has been working on Balladong Boodja country for the past 12 years at Northam Senior High School and is a valuable team member of Prepare Produce Provide and has been with the team since the early development of the Djinda Ngardak program.

MENTOR/CHEF ADRIAN TOBIN

Adrian was the National Culinary Olympics Captain for the 2008 and a member of Australia's best preforming culinary team, winning four gold medals in 1996.

Adrian's insight into the workings of the Culinary Olympics and his passion to support the two young "Rising Stars" will make him an undeniable asset to the program.

THE ARTWORK

Djinda Ngardak 2018 ambassador and award winning artist Rory Charles has developed the artwork for the shirts that the National Youth Team will wear in Germany.