Name: Kevin Casey
Position: Head Chef
Kevin completed his apprenticeship at Kingscliff TAFE in NSW. He then went on to work for the Beach House before working under Annie Hulles (personal chef to Kerry Packer).
Four Questions with Kevin:
Q) What is your favourite food/guilty pleasure?
A) Oysters anyway they come
Q) What do you find most challenging about working as a trainer at Lacademie Hotel? And how do you overcome these?
A) Language and Cultural differences. This is overcome through persistence and an ever expanding knowledge of the students’ backgrounds.
Q) What is your favourite style of Cooking?
A) Asian and Japanese because of the clean flavours that present on the plate beautifully.
Q) What was the proudest moment you have had as a Chef?
A) Opening night of Brown Sugar (his own Restaurant) in Byron Bay.
Name: Jurgen Abele
Position: 2IC to Kevin Casey
Jurgen was born and raised in Germany and from a very young age helped out in the family Restaurant. Jurgen realised that he wanted to a Chef. He completed his apprenticeship at Loewen in Oberstaufen in Germany and was able to gain knowledge and experience in Fine dining at Michelin star awarded restaurant. Jurgen then went on to work for 5 star hotels around the world.
Four Questions with Jurgen:
Q) What is your favourite food/guilty pleasure?
A) Krautkraphen – pickled cabbage roulade
Q) What do you find most challenging about working as a trainer at Lacademie Hotel? And how do you overcome these?
A) Language and Cultural differences. Overcome through perseverance.
Q) What is your favourite style of Cooking?
A) Asian and Japanese because of the combination of flavours and variety and fresh ingredients.
Q) What was the proudest moment you have had as a Chef?
A) Completing my apprenticeship in Germany and cooking all over the world.
Name: Casey Baker
Position: Patisserie Chef
Casey completed her apprenticeship with the Hilton in Brisbane. She then went on to earn a scholarship to live and work for Harrods in London. When Casey returned to Australia she opened her own business – Urban Bite.
Four Questions with Casey:
Q) What is your favourite food/guilty pleasure?
A) Good quality of chocolate
Q) What do you find most challenging about working as a trainer at Lacademie Hotel? And how do you overcome these?
A) Trying to convey the importance of Industry Standards to the students
Q) What is your favourite style of Cooking?
A) Hand – Made chocolates
Q) What was the proudest moment you have had as a Chef?
A) Winning the scholarship to live and work at Harrods in London.