10 November 2004

A hospitality lecturer at Charles Darwin University will use a $10,000 award to travel to the USA where he will study and promote the use of local products and bush foods.

Athol Wark

Athol Wark, who is based at the University’s Alice Springs Campus, is the first person from the Northern Territory to be awarded the prestigious International Specialised Skills Institute Overseas Fellowship.

“It is a great honour to be given this opportunity,” said Mr Wark, whose formative training included an apprenticeship on the QEII.

Prior to joining Charles Darwin University this year, Mr Wark worked in a range of premier Australian hotels including opening the Alice Springs Convention Centre as Executive Chef. A strong advocate for the use of local native foods, Mr Wark also heads the Alice Springs Food Group. His signature dish is the Emu Egg Pavlova.

As part of the Fellowship Mr Wark will be studying at the Johnson and Wales University’s Miami Campus and also working with the design and production of large banquets at the Florida base of the Norwegian Cruise Line company.

“I am looking forward to exchanging information regarding the use of regional produce in commercial cooking. It is as much a chance to promote Australian cuisine as to learn from experts in the industry,” Mr Wark explained.

“Then through the training I provide at Charles Darwin University, I hope to impart the new skills I will have acquired within the local industry including staff from the Alice Springs Convention centre and the Darwin Convention Centre when it comes on line.”

Sponsored by the commonwealth government’s Department of Education, Science and Training, the award was established ten years ago to address the skill and knowledge gaps in Australian industry.

The award maps these skill gaps with overseas organisations where the talents can be acquired. Applicants identify possibilities and put forward a case for their selection as a person with standing in their chosen industry.

There have been 64 recipients of this award since its inception – 52 Australian and 12 from overseas. Previous winners of this award include well-known people such as the designer, Peter Jago, who won the 1994 award to study Millinery in Italy and England.