David Kapay

"I was born in Dandenong, Melbourne, Australia in 1982. In 1992 my family and I moved to Wodonga.

In 1999 my journey began as a kitchen hand in a trendy Café on the high street.

This led to an apprenticeship that I would complete in four years at Wodonga Institute of TAFE. Not long after my qualification I would find myself in charge of the kitchen.

Wanting to continue to learn, I then moved to The New Albury Hotel where in six months time I would again find myself in charge of a kitchen at an early age.

In the beginning of 2006 I was on a plane London bound. This would seem to have changed my life forever.

I began working and living the dream at Fifteen in London. I was a young man on top of the world.

I started at Fifteen as a DCDP and spent three and a half amazing years learning from the best - Jamie, Gennaro and Executive Chef Andrew.  During this time I was honoured to be able to represent fifteen in Iceland, Italy and Slovakia on work related promotional public relations. During this time I had worked my way to the position of Junior Sous.

I took a six month leave from Fifteen in October 2008 and during that time worked at Gordon Ramsay Maze, 1 Michelin Star establishment part of the Ramsay Empire. My position there was Junior Sous.

I returned to Fifteen as Senior Sous in April 2009 before finally deciding to return to Australia in December 2009 to explore further career opportunities."