In my recent article,” Addressing the Skill Shortage” I commented upon not only the urgent need for skilled professionals to join the Hospitality Industry, but also for the governments and the training colleges to advertise and make the industry more enticing to the future generations, by developing an honest advertisement that takes the good with the bad.

With the arrival and success of the hit TV show “Masterchef”, I feel that this could be the very thing which this industry so desperately needs to give it a much needed boost in potential staff and I hope that in the aftermath of the show, that the younger generation will continue to be enticed, to not only want to explore the culinary and Hospitality Industry further but to seriously consider it as a career path within the Hospitality industry.

I think Masterchef is great, as it tries to make the contestants think and strive to be innovative, creative and take the initiative in the various scenarios which they face.

My only concern is that sometimes some organizations discourage the creativity and innovative thinking and this can be very demoralizing.

For their sakes, I hope they can be creative and innovative in the kitchen. For we need these passionate, innovative chefs urgently injected into the already struggling industry.

My only gripe with Masterchef is that the proper skills and techniques in the basic food preparation and chef hygiene aren’t being taught or followed.

I remember watching Julie cutting during one of the pressure tests. She nearly gave me a heart attack! So afraid that she would cut her finger off!

Also, where is the protective head gear?

Working in any Hospitality outlet, whether it is the restaurant or kitchen, ALL staff needs to have their hair tied back.

In the kitchen, the chefs have to wear hats or caps and the male chefs should be clean shaven. (A trimmed beard is fine, as long as that beard isn’t being grown whilst the chef is working in the kitchen)

Oh, and to Kate, who does a taste test by using her finger in the introduction to the Masterchef music – do that for real in the outside world, when there’s a food safety audit in progress and a warning and frown you will receive!

I know it’s only a TV show, but you are training contestants to become THE Masterchef.

These things although only minor, are relevant issues for working in this industry and around food, otherwise, well done Channel 10, and GO Girls!

© Sumalee Kunert – Lee 2009