12 June 2023
The hard work of one of North Metropolitan TAFE’s (NMTAFE) Portfolio Director's has been celebrated, with Mr Patrick O'Brien OAM published in the King’s Birthday 2023 Honours List this week.
Now in his 18th year with NMTAFE, Patrick was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) by the Governor-General (Chancellor of the Order of Australia) for his service to the hospitality industry.
Patrick O’Brien said it was humbling to be recognised for doing work he simply loves doing.
“I love what I do because I get to make a difference to young people’s lives. Encouraging them to be the best they can possibly be,” he said.
Patrick’s journey in the industry began at St Mary’s College of Catering in Ireland, where upon graduating he gained employment at many renowned restaurants in Ireland before relocating to Australia to work at the Sheraton.
A desire to nurture the next generation sparked his move into training, firstly with the Hospitality Group Training in 1995 before moving to NMTAFE in 2006, where he was headhunted to lead the establishment of a new Academy of Culinary Arts.
The hospitality and cookery program at NMTAFE has gone from strength to strength under his watch, with Patrick now leading 87 staff from NMTAFE’s Joondalup campus to deliver courses in hospitality, commercial cookery and patisserie.
On top of this, he also personally coaches young chefs competing in the highest levels of culinary competition having accompanied teams to events all over the world including Germany, India and Thailand with more than 20 gold medals won.
“The biggest thing for me is watching the students go up and get gold medals at the Culinary Olympics, and to know that you’ve helped them achieve it,” Patrick said.
“They all put in the time and hard work but the sense of achievement you get in knowing that you made it possible – that's what keeps me going.”
Graduates Patrick has mentored have gone on to work at some of the finest restaurants in the world; these include Chris Malone, E Sous Chef at Dinner by Heston in Dubai, Brayden Davies, Sous Chef at The Angel at Hetton Skipton in UK, Shane Middleton, head chef at 6HEAD Elizabeth Quay and Julia Buri, owner of Crumbs Patisserie in Applecross.
NMTAFE’s Managing Director Michelle Hoad said Patrick’s dedication and passion to develop the talented culinary workforce of the future was legendary.
“There is no limit to the effort he will make to shape, nurture and prepare young people to thrive in their careers,” she said.
“Patrick’s achievements and those of his protégées are extensive, prolific and achieve global reach. There wouldn’t be a chef in WA who hasn’t worked with Patrick in hosting one of his students, supporting one of his many worthy causes, or recruiting from the vast pool of skilled people that Patrick has had a hand in developing.”
Some of Patrick’s contribution to the sector includes Master Craftsman with the Catering Institute of Australia; National Judge with the Australian Culinary Federation (Life Member); WA President of the Australian Culinary Federation and National Board Member; World Chef’s Association Grade A Culinary Judge; National Team Member and coach for the World Culinary Olympics.
He was also recognised with the President’s Award for Education at the World Association of Cooks Societies at its World Congress in Norway in 2014 and shortly after, was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Restaurant and Caterers Awards WA.
Outside of TAFE, Patrick has personally recruited volunteers to cook and serve for fundraising events such as the Long Table Lunch for Breast Cancer, and the Cancer Council Joondalup Fun Run.
Patrick will be presented with the insignia of the award at a ceremony at Government House in September/October.
Photo NMTAFE Portfolio Director Patrick O’Brien OAM at Joondalup campus after being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia.