In what is promising news for Newcastle and the Hunter Region's culinary scene, a record 12 apprentice chefs competed in the 21st annual Brett Graham Scholarship this year.
Three finalists cooked off at TAFE NSW's Hamilton campus last week and the winner was Nicholas Smith, from Saddles at Mount White. As part of his $10,000 prize he will travel to the UK and work alongside former Newcastle chef Brett Graham at his two-Michelin-starred London restaurant, The Ledbury.
