By Jenel Hunt
Warwick RSL Club had a table of 10 at the Convention Centre for the Clubs Queensland awards night. Julianne Farley, head chef at the Warwick RSL, was in the running for the prestigious Club Chef of the Year Award.
Out of more than 100 nominations, the best five names went up on a screen for all to see. The name, Julianne Farley, was on it.
It was an exciting moment; a nerve-wracking moment, as the whole room waited for the winner’s name to be announced.
Warwick RSL manager Michael Jones leaned over to Julianne and whispered, “Have you got a little speech prepared in case you get the gong?”
The answer was an unequivocal negative. If her name was called he would have to go up with her and Michael would be the one who would need to give the ‘little speech’.
She went home happy to be in the top five but not the speech-giving winner, and Michael couldn’t be more proud of the club’s head chef.
“This is a big thing. We’re over the moon,” he said.
Remembering her reaction still garners a smile, but Michael says even though Julianne doesn’t like to put herself forward and is the quiet achiever type of person, she is still very much an achiever.
“She does wonderful meals and is always trying something a little new, a little different. Plus the menu is completely changed two or three times a year, to keep it fresh. Julianne has been here at the RSL for two years, but she has been putting out amazing meals in Warwick for many years.”
It was a mystery judge situation, which he said kept everyone on their toes during the two months the judge had to visit the club.
“You don’t know if they’re coming for lunch or dinner or when they are going to be here. You never find out who the judge is,” he said.
But of course, that’s the point: to make every meal so good it’s of award-winning quality.
