FOR chefs life is about exploring new tastes, and Orange chef Sam Aldeguer is salivating in anticipation of his next appetising adventure.
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Sam is moving to Sydney to take up a position as a commi chef in one of the world’s best kitchens, at Sydney restaurant Tetsuya’s.
Chef prodigy Tetsuya Wakuda is regarded as one of the world’s most visionary culinary pacesetters.
His restaurant was ranked as ninth best in the world on the S Pellegrino World’s Best Restaurant list in 2008 and received three hats in the 2009 Sydney Morning Herald food guide.
Sam, 25, grew up in Orange and has been training with Orange’s best chefs for the last four years.
“Filipino and Spanish cooking is a big part of my family tradition and I always remember our big family meals. Many of the things my nan, pop and mother know have been taught to me,” Sam said. “I think I was the only kid taking Filipino pancit to school at the tender age of eight.”
Sam started his apprenticeship at Lolli Reddini and has worked at La Colline Racine, at Tonic and at the Union Bank wine bar with head chef Scott Want.
He has also volunteered to work with pioneering chef Michael Manners, who remains one of the state’s leading chefs.
“It’s all about getting new experiences and learning the most I can. And this new position will be such a great learning experience,” he said.
Sam said he wouldn’t have had the “once in a lifetime opportunity” without the support of Mr Manners.
“While I was dining [at Tetsuya’s] Tetsuya actually came out of the kitchen and sat down with me and my mother and we had a chat about what I want to do with my life,” Sam said.
“While I was saying I would love to work [at Tetsuya’s] and envy him for having such a fantastic restaurant, he said he actually envied me for being able to work with Michael Manners.”
Sam did one week of work experience with Tetsuya and found he had the job last weekend.
“I’m ecstatic about it ... but 80 per cent of the ingredients I’ve never head of,” he said. “For a country chef to get a break like this is huge.
Sam finishes up at the Union Bank this Saturday and will take up his position at Tetsuya’s on February 17.
