CHIDLOW apprentice chef Alexis Mifsud has been awarded this year’s WA hospitality apprentice of the year by the Culinary Federation of Australia.

Ms Mifsud said she was proud of herself and her achievement.

She works as a first-year apprentice at the Standard Gauge, a fine dining restaurant in Chidlow owned and run by Michelin starred chef Alan Wise.

Alexis made the decision last year to leave high school to pursue her passion for cookery and has been thriving in the industry since then.

“I have been under my apprenticeship with Michelin Star chef Alan Wise for just over seven months. I started working at the Standard Gauge in January, after I left school at the age of 16,” she said.

“Working with Alan has helped me expand my skillset and knowledge about food and how it is used to create new and creative dishes. Working with Alan and having the menu change daily and having new dishes come to the menu every week helps me expand my knowledge further and helps me understand the kitchen and how it should work.”

To nominate for the first-year apprentice category in the apprentice of the year competition, she said she had to construct her own recipes using an ingredient list sent by the culinary federation, along with a set of judging criteria.

“My favourite aspect of my apprenticeship is learning something new every day and being able to expand my knowledge and get better at cooking every day.”

Ms Mifsud said she has big dreams for her future both in and outside of Perth’s restaurant scene.

“My major goal for the future is to be able to work as a chef on cruise ships and travel around the world.”