But now the 21-year-old apprentice chef is looking at the final year of her training at Highland Heritage Estate Restaurant with the same determination and drive she has developed for the art of cooking since she first found herself in a commercial kitchen in 2013.

She has also been rewarded for her hard work, receiving the Country Women’s Association (CWA) Central West Group’s apprentice of the year on Monday.

Miss Devlin, a Parkes native, said it was “pretty exciting” to be awarded the $800 scholarship, which she will use to buy knives and other pieces for her tool box.

“I got into [cooking] by accident,” she said.

“A few years ago I quit one of my jobs due to other reasons, and I was going on holidays. Before I left I applied for all the jobs I could find, whatever was going. 

“Two days back from holidays, I got a call from Skillset saying I had an interview. I had the interview at 9am, and at 4pm the same day I got a call back telling me I’d got the job and when could I start. 

“It all happened so fast; I said I’d have to think about it and call them back in a few weeks.”

Since that fateful day, Miss Devlin has not looked back. She has gone from strength to strength, competing in cooking competitions since her first year as an apprentice and last year winning bronze in the Australian Apprentice of the Year awards in Adelaide and participating in the prestigious Fonterra Proud to Be a Chef mentoring program in Melbourne.

Skillset regional manager Amanda Ferguson, who was part of the CWA’s selection panel, said Miss Devlin showed all of the characteristics of a star apprentice.

“She’s excelled at work, and the passion she has for food and how she presents herself, it really shows,” Ms Ferguson said.

CWA Central West Group publicity officer Ros Bensch said the scholarship, which is funded by the group’s tea, coffee and cake stall at the Australian National Field Days, was vital to supporting final-year apprentices purchase the essential tools of their trades. 

“It’s really important for anyone willing to go through all that hard work to improve their skills and learn a trade, it’s important we do what we can to support them,” Mrs Bensch said.

alexandra.king@fairfaxmedia.com.au