Hostplus Hospitality Scholarship

from AHA | the PUBlication 2014/15

Anzac Centenary and our drinks brands

AHA & TAA NATIONAL

THE ANNUAL HOSTPLUS HOSPITALITY SCHOLARSHIP

REWARDING UP-AND-COMING TALENT IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

Hostplus is the national superannuation fund for the Australian hospitality, tourism, recreation and sport industries. As one of the largest national super funds, with approximately one million members and 90,000 employers, Hostplus offers a range of benefits and options that aim to maximise individual super savings.

The support of the industry continues through the super fund’s annual Hostplus Hospitality Scholarship – a nation wide program that is jointly managed by Melbourne Food and Wine and is open to individuals aged 18-30 years working across the Australian food, beverage and hospitality industry.

The purpose of the Hostplus Hospitality Scholarship is to encourage, recognise and reward up-and-coming talent in the industry, providing winners with the opportunity to gain international work experience across three accredited hospitality businesses and to be taught by a local industry legend during a one-year mentorship.

In June, Damien Neylon was announced as winner of the 2015 Hostplus Hospitality Scholarship.

Damien, who works as the Sous Chef at ‘Brae’ Restaurant in Victoria, astonished judges with his finesse and dedication.

On announcing the winner, Natalia O’Brien, CEO of Melbourne Food and Wine summarised why Damien was selected above the other first-rate applicants from the hospitality field:

“There was a real depth of quality in the applications that we received this year, however, Damien’s level of skill and dedication to his craft stood out to the judging panel. He clearly has a very bright future ahead of him and it is such a pleasure to play a helping hand to realise his career aspirations.”

Having recently returned from his international stage experience – working with nahm restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand; Osteria Francescana restaurant in Modena, Italy; and Ralae restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark – Damien will now work closely with Melbourne Food and Wine and Hostplus to find an appropriate mentor, as his work experience may shape his preference.

The national scholarship program is divided into multiple stages, in which all entrants are first required to submit a video application, which effectively demonstrates their skill, knowledge and ability to shape the future of the industry. From here, four finalists are selected to move on to the final round, where they are observed in their place of work in order to see how they operate on a day-to-day basis, to discover the winner.

Representing some of the most influential names in the industry, this year’s judges included Ms. O’Brien, along with Umberto Mecchi from Hostplus, Matteo Pignatelli from Restaurant and Catering Australia; MFW Legend Gail Donovan; and 2014 Hostplus Trailblazer Rafael Rashid.

On accepting the scholarship, Damien said: “Firstly, I’d like to thank Melbourne Food and Wine and Hostplus for this great opportunity. In this scholarship, I’d like to continue to move forward as a chef, learning and seeing new things and applying them in the workplace, and hopefully contributing to what I think is a really special industry.”

Acknowledging the value of the scholarship, Damien’s words of appreciation also reflect that of the 2014 winner, Mark Bashinksy – Sous Chef at Aria restaurant in Brisbane. Mark believes that “the scholarship provides a great opportunity for developing ideas that you can bring back home and apply to your work.

“Everything I experienced overseas I wanted to bring home to Aria – from new techniques to new flavours. Travelling overseas, the people you meet, creating those memories and first hand experience was priceless and will last a lifetime.”

Building on the success of the initial 2014 scholarship, this year’s program will also continue to support the careers of the three runners-up, who, in conjunction with Damien, each received a year-long mentorship with a local industry legend:

Alex Croker, Cellar Door & Functions Manager, Bird in Hand Winery, SA

Angus Beaumont, Butcher & Charcuterie Maker, Du Fermier, VIC

Patrick Sullivan, Winemaker, Patrick Sullivan Wines, VIC

In his concluding comments about the positive role that Hostplus has played and will continue to play in the hospitality industry, CEO David Elia said: “We’ve been the national super fund for people working in hospitality for 27 years and we’re proud to back this scholarship – it’s just one of the many ways we are helping to support the industry by providing structured pathways for future talent.”

At this stage, the 2016 program is expected to take place in March/April and the entry process will remain largely the same.