Succulent: gourmet food at Peppers Craigieburn
Succulent: gourmet food at Peppers Craigieburn

 The Accommodation Association is hoping the excitement generated by this week’s MasterChef final will translate to more people choosing to forge a career in hospitality.

The Association’s Chief Executive Officer, Richard Munro, said there are numerous openings in hotels, motels and other accommodation businesses for chefs, particularly in regional areas.

“Our industry would be thrilled if MasterChef is able to inspire a new generation of Australians to make hospitality their career of choice,” Munro said.

“Attracting and retaining staff – and chefs in particular – continues to be one of a number of challenges facing accommodation businesses.

“With a comparatively high cost of wages and an intermittent trading environment – notably in non-metropolitan areas – the accommodation industry is struggling to compete with other industries which have a high short-term demand for skilled labour, such as mining.

“So for those who are excited by a career in hospitality after watching MasterChef, the Accommodation Association is urging them to contact a hotel, motel or other food-service business.

“For businesses that are members of our Association, there is the added benefit of staff having access to the Accommodation Association of Australia’s new training academy which supports the development of job roles within the accommodation sector, including chef and food and beverage services.”

Munro said it takes a strong commitment and a willingness to work outside of regular business hours to be successful in hospitality, but there can be significant rewards.

“Chefs from Australia have graduated to work in some of the world’s best known and famous hotels,” he said.