Future chefs in South West focus

Guests at a South West Focus sundowner will sample food that showcases the region and is prepared by the next generation of chefs.

A partnership between South West Institute of Technology and Southern Forests Food Council will have commercial cookery students preparing some of the region's finest produce for the July 1 event.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for students to use premium produce from the region," SWIT commercial cookery lecturer Ian Frost said.

"It's really exciting and students are choosing to give up their time to work at the event.

"The main challenge from the chef's point of view is doing justice to the produce and keeping everything as fresh as possible."

About 200-250 people will be served finger food and bowl items, with dishes including fresh marron, sugar-cured beef, truffles and finger limes.

Southern Forests Food Council has supplied the food, and wine and produce coordinator John Kilrain said increasing brand awareness was a benefit of being involved.

"It is a good way to showcase the Southern Forests' ability to provide good-quality produce," he said.

"It's a fantastic opportunity close to home to promote the product and getting SWIT involved is good, too."

It is the first time SWIT students have been involved with South West Focus food preparation.

Mr Frost said part of the commercial cookery course required students to cook for an offsite function such as the sundowner, with the majority of food to be prepared in the SWIT kitchen for transport to Koombana Bay Sailing Club, where SWIT hospitality students will help with serving.

A full day of preparation will be required before the function, as well as on the day.