It’s also an excellent place to eat. 

One of the centre’s apprentice chefs, Andrew Ballard, has been named regional winner of the Nestle Golden Chef’s Hat Award. 

He attributes much of his success to the supportive culture at Darwin Convention Centre. 

“There are strong role models and mentors at work. I’ve got nothing but positive words to say about them. 

“The convention centre has done so much for me professionally and personally. Everyone has always been very understanding. 

“We all work hard together to do the best job.” 

Darwin-born Andrew, who is 24 and finishes his apprenticeship later this year, says the senior people in the convention centre kitchen have encouraged him to try “something new”, including using native ingredients. 

His menu in the Nestle cook-off at Charles Darwin University included a brandy basted rump steak accompanied by orange rhubarb chutney, lemon myrtle smoked celeriac mash and wattle seed jus lié. 

The dessert was a baked cold-set lemon bar accompanied by a white chocolate and rosella French vanilla mousse, toasted oat and brown sugar crumble. 

Andrew has always wanted to be a chef — he cooked from an early age and started preparing family meals at 14. 

He loves working at Darwin Convention Centre, where the kitchen often has to feed hundreds — and sometimes a couple of thousand — guests. 

The former Darwin High School student was put in charge of “dietaries” at a recent conference and had to prepare 65 vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free meals in 25 minutes. 

“I enjoyed that.” 

Convention centre general manager Peter Savoff is proud that the award-winning centre values and nurtures staff. 

“We are proud to support emerging talent across the business and to celebrate our team’s individual career successes,” he says. 

“Andrew is a remarkable example of how local youth can explore the many vocational careers available in the Northern Territory and achieve success, recognition and most of all – job satisfaction.” 

The Nestle Golden Chef’s Hat Award is in its 60th year. TQ