The Eumundi markets have for a while now been running what they call the ‘Market Chef’ event. The idea behind this is that during the second school term of the year, a number of students from various schools around the area will come together with mentors from some of the region’s best restaurants. Restaurants taking part this year are The Long Apron (Montville), Bistro C (Noosa), Via Italia (Mooloolaba), Belmondos Organic Market (Noosaville), The Bohemian Bungalow (Eumundi), Noosa Boathouse (Noosaville), Gaston (Noosa), and Berardo’s (Noosa). The volunteer Chefs will be mentoring students from a range of school institutions, including; St Andrew’s Anglican College, Noosa Christian College, Good Shepherd Lutheran College, Maroochydore State High School, St Teresa’s Catholic College, Burnside State High School, Immanuel Lutheran College, Mountain Creek State High School, Unity College Caloundra and Glasshouse Country Christian College – sharing their expertise, vast experience, cooking techniques and many vital skills usable at home and on the journey to becoming a chef. It’s a great way to give budding chefs and home cooks a helping hand in fine tuning their skills and giving them a better idea of what to expect from such a career choice. An invaluable experience for them all.

If you fancy yourself a foodie, or are interested in expanding your pallet, the event is a spectator event, a great opportunity to observe the action and pick up any little tips and tricks you can, as well as all of the amazing recipes the chefs will be teaching their young apprentices along the way. The recipies themselves come straight from the kitchen of the restaurants themselves, including Gastons’ Grilled Chimichurri King Prawns with Toasted Coconut and Herb Salad. The Noosa Boathouses’ Beef Rump Cap Carpaccio, Seared local Tuna with Aioli and Fried Egg. The Bohemian Bungalows’ Tomato and Saffron King Prawn Papparelle. Bistro Cs’ Sambal be Tongkol – Asian inspired Tuna. Via talias’ Gnocchi e Tartufo. The Long Aprons’ Pan Seared Scallops, Black Pudding and Pickled Cauliflower. And of course, there is a vegan option, Belmondo’s Organic Markets’ Green Vegan Tacos.

‘The cooking demonstrations are designed to be educational and fun for students interested in pursuing a career in the hospitality industry. All recipes cooked during MARKET CHEF incorporate fresh produce and ingredients from local growers and suppliers available at the Original Eumundi Markets’.

This is a great opportunity for the young wanna-be chefs. They’ll be taught the basics, as well as some more complicated techniques that they will one day find invaluable in their careers, like creating amazing flavour combinations with ingredients they may have never had the chance to use, or had not occurred to them to use before, proper marination, preparation and a number of grilling, roasting and cooking techniques. The Market Chefs is an invaluable learning experience for the students, as well as anyone wanting to sit in on a cooking demonstration. For more information on the demonstrations visit the Eumundi Webpage for the Market Chef Event and you can find all of the recipes online as well.