Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, Cromwell campus, apprentice chef Jack Foster (17) is a recipient of a merit scholarship for secondary school students.
While at Wakatipu High School, Jack worked as a kitchen hand at weekends, assisting front-of-house at Joe's Garage in Arrowtown, but knew he wanted more.
"I knew I really wanted to become a chef in a fine dining restaurant.
"Mr [teacher Michael] Stockwell was the first inspiration who made me want to further my career - encouraging and supporting me to get some work experience in a local restaurant during the year.
"At the end of 2007, I was invited to Blanket Bay to meet former New Zealand Chef of the Year, Jason Dell, who talked to me about . . . working in a professional kitchen."
Mr Dell introduced the teenager to Grant Jackson, the owner of Queenstown's Boardwalk Seafood Restaurant and a stalwart of the New Zealand Chefs Association.
Mr Jackson has become an "inspiration and mentor", taking Jack on as a Gateway (apprenticeship training programme) student in 2008.
"I was thrilled when chef Jackson offered me an apprenticeship at Boardwalk, as he has such a great restaurant with an excellent reputation.
"I'd like to finish my apprenticeship at Boardwalk and then head overseas to widen my career experience."
Jack said the restaurant association scholarship funding would be used to help pay fees associated with his modern apprenticeship in cookery, as well as contributing towards the essential tools every chef needs - knives.
