Monique Rutene (21) hopes winning a national competition will encourage others in the South to follow in her footsteps.
The Balclutha woman was named Food and Beverage Modern Apprentice of the Year 2010 in Auckland on Monday night, beating seven other finalists.
Her prize is one or two weeks' work experience in Melbourne or Sydney - the details still have to be worked out.
However, Miss Rutene has no plans to relocate permanently to the big smoke, and is happy to remain at Balclutha's Rosebank Lodge as restaurant and function supervisor.
She hoped her award would encourage other people in the South to "get excited" about hospitality.
Miss Rutene was the only South Island finalist.
It was especially gratifying to nab the award over finalists who worked at big-name hotels, she said.
The practical contest, on Sunday, included blind wine tasting, laying tables, and greeting and farewelling guests.
