Chef bakes her way to multiple awards

BY SAMANTHA ELLEY

The residents at Whiddon Grafton have a secret.

They are lucky enough to have award-winning Grafton woman, Cherrie Wilson, as a chef to cook for them.

Resilient Lands Strategy is missing opportunities to deliver its objectives faster and potentially cheaper than on some of the sites that have been included in the draft strategy.”

“We strongly urge NRRC to reconsider these sites and to engage directly with these landowners to understand the opportunities and roadblocks to delivering additional residential land more quickly in Lismore.

“LCC is also surprised and somewhat sceptical at the numbers presented as ‘indicative yield’ for the six short term sites that were included in the draft strategy in Lismore.”

For the past fve years, Cherrie has been an apprentice chef with Whiddon Grafton and has now fnished her Commercial Cookery Certifcate III.

During this time she has won the TAFE NSW Student of the Year for Tourism and Experi-ence at the Excellence Awards at Port Macquarie Sails Resort in May 2023 and was re-cently recognised as a fnalist for the Apprentice of the Year at the NSW Training Awards at Opal Cove Resort in Coffs Harbour on 8th June 2023.

For Cherrie, becoming a chef was a life goal that she has now achieved. But her goals don’t stop there, as she has now started a Certifcate III in Patisserie with the Whiddon Group at Kingscliff TAFE to further her skills.

As well as the awards mentioned above, Cherrie was a two time fnalist for the Proud to be a Chef Program in 2022 and 2023, a mentoring programme led by three inspirational Australian mentors.

Each year, Anchor™ Food Professionals provide the opportunity for 32 aspiring, young apprentice chefs to embark on a remarkable culinary experience.

In February 2023, fnalists few to Melbourne for a 4-day food adventure, introducing apprentices to a series of extraordinary dining experiences and trips to some of Austral-ia’s most famous food inspired locations.

Cherrie has taken it all in her stride as she continues on her culinary path.

“I am so thankful to The Whiddon Group for providing me with an opportunity to follow my dreams and become a professional chef,” she said.

“I have always enjoyed cooking.

“Completing my frst apprenticeship has opened my eyes to new experiences and chal- lenges and my passion for cakes and pastries has grown.

“My family are so proud of me.”

Sandra Osborne, Director of Care Services, Whiddon Grafton said they are immensely proud of Cherrie’s recognition and her commitment to the organisation and the communi-ty.

“It is through the dedication of team members like Cherrie that we can continue to deliver award-winning care that connects, inspires, and enriches lives every day,” she said.