Leela Subramaniam, a Senior Sous Chef at the Flinders Hotel in Mornington Peninsula, has made Australia proud by winning a prestigious gold at the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics Excellence Awards in Jamaica. Leela’s journey from a student at Chisholm Institute of TAFE to an internationally recognised chef is an inspiring tale of resilience and passion.
The Outstanding Achievement Award marks a high point in her career, coming just a year after she completed her Certificate III in Commercial Cookery at Chisholm as a mature-age student. Managing a team of eight kitchen staff, Leela’s leadership in the kitchen has been built on years of dedication and a unique blend of her Indian heritage with the fresh, local produce of Victoria.
Leela turned to cooking as a way to cope with two personal tragedies, immersing herself in the art of blending flavours. Her love for the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of a commercial kitchen kept her moving forward. While juggling university studies and part-time work in three restaurants, she realised that her true passion lay in the culinary arts.
“I loved the buzz of the commercial kitchen, the time pressure, and the challenge of creating the best dining experience for our guests,” she shared.
Her training began during the Covid lockdowns at Chisholm’s Mornington Peninsula campus, where she enrolled in the Commercial Cookery Apprenticeship course. The supportive environment of the TAFE helped her gain the confidence to enter and win numerous local and national cookery competitions, paving the way for her international success.
Following her win in Jamaica, Leela has now set her sights on Oslo, Norway, where she will be interning at a Michelin-starred restaurant. This new chapter promises to expand her culinary expertise, with the opportunity to visit local farms and delve into the unique regional ingredients shaped by Norway’s extreme climates.
Beyond the accolades, Leela’s future vision is to create a social enterprise restaurant that will provide training opportunities for disadvantaged youth in remote areas of Australia.
“This win consolidates my hard work in the industry. So many of the opportunities I’ve had have happened thanks to Chisholm TAFE, and I am so grateful,” she said.
The encouragement from her teachers and the nurturing learning environment at Chisholm played a pivotal role in shaping her culinary career. Reflecting on her experience, Leela noted, “Training at Chisholm built my confidence and gave me several life-changing opportunities. I was once afraid to make mistakes, but TAFE provided a space free from judgement.”
The World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics recognises the best in workforce education, and Leela’s triumph at this global event is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and the support of a strong learning community.
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