Former Heathdale Christian College student, Claire van der Merwe, has been awarded for her outstanding VCE results. 83362 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By ALESHA CAPONE
WITH a flair for making fabulous food, Claire van der Merwe is set to become a first-rate chef.
Last week, the Altona Meadows teenager received an award from Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu, in recognition of her VCE achievements last year.
On Wednesday, Mr Baillieu presented the VCE High Achievers and Study Awards.
While completing Year 12 at Heathdale Christian College in Werribee last year, Claire received a study score of 49 out of 50 for her Hospitality (Kitchen Operations) subject.
She was also given a grade of 48 out of 50 for her Food Technology subject.
The 19-year-old is now completing a Commercial Cookery Certificate 4 at the William Angliss Institute.
Claire, who combines studying with her job at a French café in South Melbourne, said she was excited to find out about the VCE award.
“I felt happy, I felt like I earned it and my hard work had paid off,” she said.
The talented young woman said she has wanted to be a chef ever since the age of nine.
“My mum used to put Jamie Oliver on the television, I used to love watching cooking shows because I could learn from them,” she said.
“I started doing simple recipes like cookies at home, and then I did all the home economics subjects in Year 7.
“In a few years, I want to live in Paris and learn all the French techniques for patisserie and desserts and things like that.”
Claire said she enjoyed the atmosphere of restaurants, in addition to the artistry of creating desserts.
Her friends and family are also big fans of Claire’s cooking.
“My brother loves it when I make homemade pasta,” she said.
