Recently, Gavin Keegan of PFD Food Services had the pleasure of sitting down with Chef Jake Furst, the talented Executive Chef of Terminus Hotel Fitzroy North and the recipient of the prestigious Chef of the Year award. During their engaging conversation, Jake shared insights into his culinary journey and offered valuable advice for aspiring chefs.
When asked about his advice for those considering a career in the culinary arts, Jake emphasised the need for passion and dedication. He expressed, ” It takes a special sort of person to sacrifice what you have to get where you want to be. It’s a beautiful job to do, especially here when you can look out from the open kitchens and people come up to the pass to say their meal was beautiful. Those little things help and we get a lot of people coming to the kitchen to shake the chef’s hand and say, that’s the best they’ve ever had. There’s nothing better than that, creating that emotion for the people that come in and celebrating their special occasions. It’s incredible. So, make sure you love it and give it a red-hot crack because it can give you a lot, it opens lots of doors and you meet a lot of people. ”
Jake’s affinity for the culinary world stems from his upbringing. Growing up in a family that ran a catering business, he was exposed to the industry from a young age. Starting his culinary journey by washing dishes, Jake’s determination led him to pursue a professional career. At the age of 17, he ventured to Melbourne to begin his apprenticeship, solidifying his commitment to the culinary arts.
When it comes to his preferred style of cuisine, Jake’s love for steak is evident. From the art of dry aging to the delicate balance of charcoal cooking, he finds great satisfaction in preparing and serving exceptional steak dishes. Additionally, he appreciates the occasional indulgence in Japanese cuisine, drawn to its refined flavors and culinary traditions.
Throughout his career, Jake has found inspiration in renowned chefs who have made their mark in the culinary world. From the early days, chefs like Scott Pickett and Andrew McConnell have left a lasting impression on him. Jake also holds great admiration for the legendary American chef, Thomas Keller, whose innovative approaches have shaped his culinary journey.
When asked about his approach to working under pressure in the kitchen, Jake confidently describes himself as a chilled chef. He believes in staying calm and collected, understanding the importance of maintaining a positive work environment and leading by example.
Recognising the significance of fostering strong relationships with suppliers, Jake emphasises the importance of a healthy and robust partnership. He values the support and exceptional service provided by PFD Foods, one of his key suppliers. Their extensive range of products and commitment to open and honest communication have been instrumental in his culinary success. As Jake says, “Our purpose is to create an environment in which our people; both staff and suppliers, feel proud to deliver amazing experiences. The team at PFD Foods go above and beyond to look after all the Kickon Venues.”
As an executive chef responsible for managing the financial aspects of his role, Jake highlights the importance of discipline, organisation, and effective labor control. With a team of over 300 chefs across Sorrento to Townsville, he understands the necessity of maintaining strong financial responsibility to ensure the success of his operations.
In a competitive industry, attracting and retaining top kitchen staff is crucial. Jake attributes the loyalty of his talented team of chefs to providing them with an excellent working environment, equipping them with the best tools, and offering competitive remuneration for their hard work.
A little more about PFD Food Services:
PFD Food Services is 100% Australian owned and Australia’s largest, family-operated foodservice distributor.
PFD Food Services deliver an extensive range of dry, chilled, frozen goods, dairy products, fresh meat, seafood and fruit & vegetables, together with paper and cleaning products to the food service industry – from memory last count about 10,000 plus products!
Their customers include pubs and clubs, cafe’s, airlines, hotels, restaurants, aged care and retirement villages, resorts and theme parks, convenience outlets, venue and field caterers, fast food outlets, schools and kindergartens, child care and correctional facilities – you name it – they service it!
Have a specific food service requirement? Or looking to be a PFD customer – Contact New Business Manager – Gavin Keegan 0457 184 505 or your local area Sales Representative 131 733
PFD Food Services is a proud principal partner of AHA (Vic).