Diploma qualified, Etienne is a creative and skilled Chef with extensive experience in event planning and catering.
Born and raised in South Africa, Etienne came to Australia in 2016. He started to teach in ICAE in April 2018, and has been teaching many units including Certificate III Commercial Cookery, Certificate IV Commercial Cookery, Certificate IV Hospitality services, and Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management.
“I have always loved teaching after being an instructor in the military for almost 10 years, after which I did lots of interesting contracts all over Africa untill I settled again in 2010 and decided to become a Chef,” Etienne said, “ICAE gave me the opportunity to teach in hospitality and cookery, both of which are my favourite topics.”
Having been a Chef for 6 years, Etienne has rich experience in the kitchen, especially catering. “I became a Chef to be more settled in one place, after working all over.” In 2013, Etienne established his own business: Nel Catering. “I love entertaining and hosting people, with Nel Catering I had the opportunity to both and make money.”
Christine Diaz, a current Certificate IV in Hospitality student praises Etienne as “one of the best teachers I’ve encountered in my whole life. He knows how to balance everything like be a professional teacher and be friends with his students. He is very kind and optimistic. Every time he discussed something, he always makes sure that everyone can understand. He is very approachable when it comes on our assessments and he explains things clearly in great detail for us. I’m sure a lot of students will like him.”
“The most important lesson I want to teach my students is to never give up, never say you can not do a certain task, and have an attitude of ‘I can’t do it YET’ and then go out and make it happen.” Etienne said.
