By Gwen O’Toole

The Electrolux Appetite for Excellence state finalists were announced on Monday (June 1) in three categories at an event held at Hilton Sydney.

Following an intense day of culinary competition, finalist for the Electrolux Young Chef, Electrolux Young Waiter and Electrolux Young Restaurateur were announced.

Co-founded by Luke Mangan and Lucy Allon and in its fifth year, the awards are dedicated to educating and nurturing emerging hospitality industry professionals.

The 2009 Electrolux Appetite for Excellence finalists

“The Electrolux Appetite for Excellence state finals were very challenging this year and the finalists did an amazing job,” said Luke Mangan. “It’s not an easy task to prepare a dish for the likes of Guy Grossi or Tetsuya Wakuda. These finalists are a shining example of the incredible young hospitality talent we have in Australia.”

Finalist chefs competed in a ‘cook off’ preparing a main dish for a judging panel including Guy Grossi, Peter Doyle and Tetsuya Wakuda. The finalist waiters were challenged with blind food and wine tasting, and customer service skills.

The state finalists have won a five day tour through Victoria’s food and wine region and following the tour, the Young Chef and Young Waiter finalists will compete in Sydney for national judging.

National winners will represent Australia in the prestigious S.Pellegrino Cooking Cup in Venice. The Electrolux Young Restaurateur prize package includes flights to London to attend ‘The S.Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants’, $10,000 cash prize; Electrolux Professional appliances for the winner’s restaurant; and the opportunity to meet Australia’s leading chefs and restaurateurs.

For a complete list for finalists and more information on the Electrolux Appetite for Excellence, click here