What others are saying

Joshua Trovato

Chef, Fraser's Restaurant
Perth

A passion for food helped 19 year old Joshua Trovato, an aspiring chef from the United States, secure an internship at Fraser's Restaurant in Perth, where he has launched an exciting career and enjoyed some truly Western Australian experiences.

“I'm pursuing a degree in Culinary Arts from North Carolina's Johnson and Wales University. To complete my study I had to do an internship and I chose Fraser's.

“Coming to Australia was a big decision but I'm glad I made the move. WA has so much to offer – great beaches, wines, lifestyle. Some of the highlights have been visiting beautiful Rottnest Island, Perth Zoo, and attending my first AFL (Australian Football League) game.

“At Fraser's I enjoy the fast pace of the kitchen and lots of hands-on experience, I love that every meal that comes out has my signature on it - and the view from Kings Park is sensational.

“Cooking with fresh local ingredients has been a unique experience of its own. I've always had a big taste for food, my family is Italian and food is a major part of our culture, but I never thought I'd get the chance to cook or eat kangaroo!

“The people have been so warm and welcoming and I have definitely made some lifelong friendships.

“When I return to the States I will continue my studies with a degree in Food and Beverage Management. One day I hope to run my own restaurant.”

Petra Cadido

Chef de Cuisine, Hyatt Regency
Perth

Petra Candido came over from the United Kingdom to Western Australia to expand on her career as a chef.

“I worked at the Hyatt there (UK) but decided to go to Australia as it was the one continent I hadn’t been to,” Petra said.

“I went to Melbourne first but soon realised it was a bit too hectic for me and after ten months I went to the Hyatt Regency Perth.

All I knew about Perth was that it was on the other side of the world and near Asia, so I gave it a shot and have never looked back.

Everything I want is here, friendly people, beautiful surroundings. You can enjoy the city or the country, WA does have it all.” Petra said.

Michael Braun

Chef, Esplanade Hotel
Fremantle

Travelling in Western Australia gave 21–year old German Chef Michael Braun a chance to experience fresh local produce, surf in Margaret River and gain valuable career experience at the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle.

“I finished a three–year apprenticeship in Germany in April 2004 then worked in Austria during the busy ski season.

I’m travelling around Australia with a friend. We’ve got a campervan so we can explore and visit the National Parks. The west coast is so beautiful – I love the beaches.

One of the things that has impressed me most in Australia is the wonderful fresh ingredients especially the seafood. I’d never cooked kangaroo or crocodile before – that was a new experience!

I’m a Chef for the Esplanade Hotel’s ‘a la carte’ restaurant, Café Panache. We use the freshest produce available and I have an opportunity to brainstorm menus with the head chef. I like making selections of the local produce to create interesting menus.

People are so friendly and open here – someone we met at the beach in Margaret River asked if we were enjoying Australia and invited us for a barbecue. The lifestyle is great. Fremantle is very Mediterranean and everything you need is close.

When I leave here I’ll go to the north of Western Australia, then I might work on a cruise ship or take up a traineeship in California. Then I will go back to Germany to study hospitality management so I have more choice in career directions. I love art and music, and I play piano and guitar.

There are many things I want to do!”

Andre Kassermelli

Little Creatures
Fremantle

Working at Little Creatures was a memorable experience for Canadian backpacker Andre Kassermelli. He had a great social life with the other “Creatures” (wait staff), lived in “awesome” Fremantle and earned money for more travels.

“I’ve been in Australia for six months. I got a Working Holiday Visa – it was really easy to get and came through the next day. I met up with my friend in Darwin and worked there for a couple of months, then we took two weeks to drive down the west coast to Perth. Coral Bay was exceptional. We snorkelled on Ningaloo Reef and saw incredible coral and massive turtles. Camping in the National Park was unbelievable. We were just sitting there and a huge red kangaroo came hopping past.

I love Fremantle – it’s awesome. Little Creatures is an excellent place to work. The best things about the job are the people you work with and the conversations with customers. The other people working at Little Creatures are exceptional. We made instant bonds with everyone and it made all the difference – it was a social scene as well as working together. It will be heart wrenching to leave.

I’d love to come back to WA and live here – I just felt an instant connection.”

Monica Iaconi

Rottnest Tearooms Bar and Café
Rottnest Island

Living on Rottnest Island and working in the Rottnest Tearooms Bar and Café gave Italian traveller Monia Iaconi a taste of Western Australia’s laid-back coastal lifestyle.

“I’ve worked in my parents’ restaurant on the beach near Ancona on the Adriatic coast since I was 12–years old so I was attracted to the coast in WA.

I spent a couple of months working in Augusta in the south west and explored Margaret River then came to Rottnest Island for two months. When I leave I plan to head north along the coast to Exmouth and Broome.

I’ve enjoyed working at the Rottnest Tearooms. I’m a waitress and I work in the bar. The café is on the beachfront in Thomson Bay. The people are so friendly and it feels just like home. I stay on Rottnest and it means I can go swimming when I finish work.

I love Rottnest and Fremantle – I could live here forever!”