“I love cooking and food, and it is my dream to be a chef” said Alex, a participant of the ASeTTS Cook like a Chef Program facilitated by Brendan Pang.
In 2024, Alex joined the cooking program which aimed at giving participants the opportunity to learn basic cooking skills, promote mental wellbeing, foster social connection, challenge gender stereotypes, and inspire participants to consider a future in cookery.
Born into a family where cooking was second nature, he discovered his love for the cooking at just 16 years of age. His passion for cooking led him to join the men’s cooking program and it was Alex’s first time getting to learn from someone like Brendan and he was a big inspiration throughout the program.
Alex learnt basic cooking skills and how to cook different cuisines from Hainanese chicken, Peruvian chicken skewers and dumplings. For the last class, the group had a presentation from North Metropolitan TAFE providing them with insights into the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery for those interested in pursuing a career in cooking.
A few months after the program had finished, Alex commenced his studies to complete the Certificate III. He is now four months away from completing his certificate and is also working in a restaurant.
For Alex, the most rewarding part of the program has been the connections, he said, “I think the exchange of cultures together, meeting new people and meeting Brendan, talking about cooking, he inspired and motivated me.”
This year ASeTTS ran the group again and Community Development Officer Salah Alrabie contacted Alex asking him to join the group but this time as a ‘Champion’. Alex would be assisting Brendan in preparing everything for each class and assisting others in the group, like a ‘sous chef’ type role.
Salah said, “Alex has a passion for cooking from day one, he was the only one who went and registered in TAFE after the first round, and he kept asking if a new round was coming. When Brendan came to do a team building activity with us, he asked how Alex’s journey was going.
We wanted to be part of his next step of his journey, first year as a participant and this year giving him the role of Champion while only four months away from completing the certificate.”
Alex said “I was happy to come back for cooking. I love the activities that ASeTTS gives to clients like the art and cooking programs. When you arrive to a new country you have a lot of free time and not much to do and is not very good for your mental health. When I arrived in Australia, I knew nothing about anything, didn’t know anyone no friends, no activities or where to go. These types of programs help a lot.”
From participant to Champion, Alex’s journey is proof that passion, perseverance and the right support can turn aspirations into reality.
And as Salah puts it, “We were there when he took his first steps, stood by him as he grew and learned, and we’ll be there when he opens the doors to his own restaurant. His journey has become part of ours.”
