Maddison Buckley with her winning dish Harissa Bronze Whaler Shark served with Lemon Mayonnaise and Herb Oil.
Camera IconMaddison Buckley with her winning dish Harissa Bronze Whaler Shark served with Lemon Mayonnaise and Herb Oil. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Swan Christian College student Maddison Buckley sharks cooking challenge

Nadia BudihardjoMidland Kalamunda Reporter

A SWAN Christian College student’s passion for cooking has led her to a win in a high school cook-off.

For 17-year-old Maddison Buckley, opening and running her own café or restaurant would be her dream career and one she can now embark on through a three-year training scholarship.

“My mum was always cooking at home so I’ve been helping her out as long as I can remember,” she said.

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“I love cooking everything and anything.

“Depending on what it is I’m making, I’ll adjust it and make my own out of other people’s recipes so it’s not exactly the same.”

Maddison’s win last week Thursday in the 2018 Taste of the Future competition came against six other high school students with a shared passion for cooking.

Declaring her cooking influences as being her Indian grandfather and her uncle Aaron Carr, who is a renowned WA chef, Maddison produced a winning dish of Harissa Bronze Whaler Shark with Lemon Mayonnaise and Herb Oil to win over a star-studded judging panel comprising WA Food Ambassador Don Hancey, Stephen Clarke from Clarke’s of North Beach Perth Arena executive chef Paul Beard.

Maddison’s dish of Harissa Bronze Whaler Shark with Lemon Mayonnaise and Herb Oil.
Camera IconMaddison’s dish of Harissa Bronze Whaler Shark with Lemon Mayonnaise and Herb Oil. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

The Forrestfield teenager has received a three-year apprenticeship scholarship valued at $5500, which will cover her Hospitality Group Training fees.

Judges Don Hancey, Stephen Clarke and Paul Beard congratulate Maddison Buckley.
Camera IconJudges Don Hancey, Stephen Clarke and Paul Beard congratulate Maddison Buckley. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

“I’m going to do some work experience in kitchens and in different types of kitchens to see what it’s like,” Maddison said.

“Even if I didn’t win, it’ll just be like the best experience for a high school class.”

La Salle College student Emily Powell placed second in the competition.

Others involved included Liam Brnic from Mater Dei College, Ralph Gayares from Sevenoaks Senior College and Jonathan Lasconi from Ashdale Secondary College.