I need to start this article by declaring that I’m an employee of the Australian College of Applied Education (or “ACAE”), one of Australia’s premiere hospitality schools. I work there in an administrative (IT) capacity, and write this article not as an advertisement but simply to talk about a great meal delivered by local (Perth) cooking & hospitality students.
At the end of each term the students & chef lecturers prepare a buffet lunch for the school’s partners, suppliers & other guests, to showcase the quality of cooking and service taught. This event is an assessment item for the students involved, as well as being a public relations exercise for the school. Each buffet has an international theme, and this time it was “Australia / US Alliance Day”, with it nearly being the 4th of July.
This is the second buffet I’ve been to, and both times I’ve been amazed with the quality and selection of the food on offer. This isn’t your everyday buffet. And this time there was coleslaw, which is too often absent at buffets.
I’m not much of a seafood eater, but by all accounts it was very good.
A selection of pies & terrines. The one on the far right was kangaroo, which I found a little gamey but was interesting to try.
The service provided by the students is always very attentive, and it’s nice not to have to worry about losing your cutlery or trying to find someone to take your plate away.
There was way too much to cram on a plate. There’s barbecued beef ribs and pulled pork on here somewhere. I didn’t even get to try the cajun chicken but I’m told it was delicious.
Anyone for dessert?
Best chocolate mousse I’ve ever had. And a banoffee pie, some petit-fours, a red velvet cupcake and a citrus tart.
ACAE was founded in 1989 and caters for international and local students, so if you’d like to learn to cook like this or be able to work in a fine-dining restaurant then you should check out ACAE’s websiteย or Facebook page. ACAE is located at 641 Wellington Street (opposite the old Entertainment Centre site) and the school’s cafe is open to the public from 7am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday – it’s a great place to grab a coffee and a cheap piece of cake!












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