Chisholm Institute of TAFE has made a mark on the global stage, securing top honours at the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) Awards of Excellence, recently held in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Among the winners, Commercial Cookery graduate Leela Subramaniam shone brightly, taking home the GOLD in the Outstanding Student Achievement Award category.
Leela, a mature-age student who completed her Certificate III in Commercial Cookery at Chisholm in 2022, has since climbed the culinary ladder.
Leela is now Senior Sous Chef at the Flinders Hotel on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, where she manages a team of eight kitchen staff.
Reflecting on her journey, Leela credited her time at Chisholm with transforming her confidence and opening doors to life-changing opportunities.
“Training at Chisholm built my confidence and gave me several life-changing opportunities,” she said. “Before, I was nervous and afraid to make mistakes, but TAFE provided a nurturing space for me to learn, free from judgement.”
Leela’s journey is one of resilience and triumph. She was previously studying for a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce while working part-time in hospitality. However, following a family tragedy—the death of her father—she found it difficult to continue her studies.
Seeking a fresh start, Leela enrolled in Chisholm’s Commercial Cookery program and took on an apprenticeship at her workplace.
Upon completing her apprenticeship in 2022, she was quickly promoted to junior sous chef, a feat her head chef proudly acknowledged as “unheard of” for recent graduates.
Leela’s exceptional talent has continued to garner recognition. In addition to her recent global accolade, she was also named Apprentice of the Year at the 69th Victorian Training Awards held last year.
Leela’s ambitions stretch beyond the kitchen of the Flinders Hotel. Following the WFCP Leadership Summit, she will head to Oslo, Norway, to intern at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Leela’s long-term goal is to establish a social enterprise restaurant that offers training opportunities to disadvantaged youth in remote areas.
Chisholm’s Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Varty, expressed pride in Leela’s achievements.
“I congratulate Leela and all those who have supported her to achieve her goals. Having your accomplishments recognised internationally is a significant honour.”
The World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics is an international network that promotes workforce education on a global scale. Its annual Leadership Summit and Awards of Excellence celebrate leadership, course innovation, and student success in vocational education and training.
Support Our Journalism
Global Indian Diaspora and Australia’s multicultural communities need fair, non-hyphenated, and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. The Australia Today – with exceptional reporters, columnists, and editors – is doing just that. Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.
Whether you live in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, or India you can take a paid subscription by clicking Patreon and support honest and fearless journalism. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/TheAusToday