The hospitality industry is a dynamic and rapidly evolving field that spans across the globe, offering a wide range of opportunities for those seeking exceptional customer service and unique experiences. To succeed in this field, one needs to possess not only knowledge, but also a deep passion for the work at hand.
Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute is dedicated to equipping students with both, empowering them not just for a successful career, but for a fulfilling life as well.
At Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute, experienced educators are committed to teaching students the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in the hospitality industry. The team’s focus is on delivering a diverse range of “professional life experiences” through the guidance of the most knowledgeable hand-picked trainers with the highest skill sets. The institute strives to prepare its students to achieve their goals, with courses that have been developed in close collaboration with industry consultants, qualified trainers, and assessors.
The aim at Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute, is to engage and educate quality students by providing them with “professional industry knowledge” that will enable them to be job-ready and successful in the workplace, setting them on the path to a prosperous future.
Empowering Students for Success
Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute strives to empower its students to be exceptional rather than just average. By instilling both knowledge and passion in its students, the institute not only educates but empowers them to succeed in their industry and in life. At Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute, students are provided with highly skilled trainers who deliver various professional experiences to equip them with the tools and knowledge needed to achieve their goals. The institute’s courses are developed through close collaboration with industry consultants, qualified trainers, assessors, and the founder’s years of professional experience in the hospitality industry.
Brad Bennett, the founder, and CEO, aims to engage and educate top-quality students by imparting professional industry knowledge, which will prepare them for the workplace and enable them to achieve a successful future.
Visionary behind Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute
Brad is a highly respected Restaurateur and culinary educator who has been passionate about the hospitality industry since he started his culinary journey at the age of 16 as a kitchen hand/dishwasher with the Myer Emporium in Adelaide, South Australia. Over the past four decades, he has been actively engaged in the hospitality industry, owning and operating numerous restaurants in Melbourne, working in London and Monaco, and lecturing at Chengdu University of Technology in China on hotel management and western cookery.
As the founder and CEO of Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute, Brad has utilized his varied experiences both in Australia and abroad to guide his team at the institute. With his unique experiences and knowledge of the industry, which includes fulfilling management roles in hotels, he has a broader vision of the industry.
In 2020, Brad was certified as a World Chefs Culinary Educator, and he is now eager to share the knowledge he has gained along the way with his students.
In an industry that is highly competitive, Brad recognized the need to create something different and unique, which led to the creation of Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute. The institute’s primary goal is to ignite students’ passion for their craft and develop a generation of culinary masters. Brad’s vision was to provide innovative, culturally diverse training that would inspire students to be exceptional rather than average. As Brad often states, “We don’t train you to be average, we inspire you to be awesome”
Brad’s exceptional contribution to the hospitality industry was recognized when he was chosen as the Australian representative for the “Ambassador of Taste for the Global Gastronomy” Gold Medal 2021/22. In addition, he has been awarded the “World Master Chefs Societies Culinary order of Merit” distinctions, which align with his core values of loving what you do and being exceptional at it. These accolades highlight Brad’s passion and commitment to his vision of creating an exceptional culinary institute that inspires students to achieve greatness.
Staying Ahead of the Game
Brad has established strong relationships with the hospitality industry, which allows for the sharing of information and staying ahead of industry trends. The team at Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute believes that through ongoing dialogue with industry partners and closely monitoring industry developments, they can constantly evolve and meet the changing needs of the industry.
The institute prides itself on offering innovative programs that not only meet government requirements but also prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the future in the hospitality industry. The teaching staff are experts in their respective fields, providing students with the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure they are job-ready upon completion of their studies.
By offering industry-relevant courses and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments, Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute is committed to providing its students with the best possible education and preparing them for successful careers in the hospitality industry.
Personalized Approach to Education and Support
At Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute, various methods and resources are utilized to cater to the needs of students and ensure their satisfaction, including:
- State-of-the-art facilities: The campus is equipped with commercial-grade kitchens and other industry-standard facilities that provide students with access to the latest tools and technologies to refine their skills and knowledge.
- Hands-on learning: Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute emphasizes practical, hands-on learning as the most effective way to master the subject. Cooking and food and beverage preparation are all done by students who participate in all school functions, allowing them to experience real-world scenarios and learn by doing.
- Personalized attention: Each student is unique, with their own goals, needs, and learning style, and therefore, individual attention is given to each student to help them achieve their full potential.
- Industry connections: The institute gives students opportunities to connect with industry professionals through networking events and work placements, allowing them to build professional networks and gain valuable experience in the hospitality industry.
- Continued support: Even after graduation, Le Culinaire provides ongoing support to its students through alumni networks, placement services, and career support programs to ensure long-term success in their chosen careers.
Focused on Industry Needs and Partnerships
The curriculum at Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute is designed to be forward-thinking, with input from industry professionals, to ensure that students are prepared for current and future industry needs. This is achieved through a partnership with Skills One and The Australian Skills Quality Authority. Le Culinaire employs innovative teaching methods, such as case studies, role plays, simulations, and industry dinners, which foster problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking skills that are essential for the culinary industry.
Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute has established valuable partnerships with industry associations, hotels, and restaurants in Sydney, such as the Australian Culinary Federation, Tourism Training Australia, Foodlogic, and the World Master Chefs Societies, among others. These partnerships provide students with opportunities for internships, work placements, sponsorships, and job observations, which greatly enhance their learning experience.
Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute’s talent comprises experts in the culinary field, with years of experience, who bring their knowledge, passion, connections, and insights to the classroom to inspire and challenge students to surpass industry standards. The institution strives for continuous improvement and regularly reviews its curriculum, facilities, and training methods to ensure that they remain relevant, effective, and up-to-date, thereby delivering exceptional value to its students. Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute’s mission is not just to train students to be average but to inspire them to be awesome.
Overcoming Challenges
Brad, as the head of Rightway Training and Development, faced numerous challenges in establishing Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute as an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO). The registration process involved obtaining a license from a governing body and going through an intense auditing process to offer training to international students under CRICOS.
The challenges began with finding a suitable campus location and obtaining approval from ASQA. Brad had to invest in a campus without any students until the registration and facility approval was granted. The registration application incurred a cost of $40,000 AUD for consultants, and the campus location rented at $20,000 AUD per month. The first audit was a nerve-wracking experience for Brad, and the approval for Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute was granted in January 2018, allowing only 62 students with minor rectifications to the application.
However, the number of students approved was not enough to cover the rental, trainer’s wages, or administration costs, leaving Brad at his lowest point. He needed to relocate as soon as possible, and after a long search, he found a new campus with council approval and a kitchen allocated by ASQA for 16 students, along with 2 theory rooms to accommodate the 62 approved students. In April 2018, training commenced with only three students in the kitchen, and an application for an increase in capacity for a total of 360 students was submitted, and the wait for approval began once again.
Navigating through Changes
In July 2018, Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute experienced a significant increase in student enrollment, prompting Brad to request approval from the governing body to increase the number of students from 62 to 320 at the new campus. After weeks of anxiety, the approval was finally granted. The institute reached its capacity by the end of 2018 and maintained it until the end of 2019.
It became evident that Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute needed a new facility and another application for an increased number of 860 students along with new campus approval. In May 2020, during the pandemic, Le Culinaire Hospitality Institute moved to its current location at 424 Harris Street Ultimo, which caused great stress and financial impact. Despite the difficulties, the institute managed to maintain its staff, students, and trainers.
As the institute moves towards 2024, they are once again seeking larger facilities and additional trainers to accommodate the growing demand for their courses.
Collaborating with Industry and Showcasing Talent through Events
At Le Culinaire, the institute collaborates with the industry on a regular basis to showcase its students and trainers. Its upcoming event is the NSW Bailliage of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. It takes immense pride in hosting the Young Chef’s fundraiser at its institute on April 27, and the team is grateful to Brad Bennett (@bradbceo424) for making his impressive institute available to them.
Additionally, in July, Le Culinaire will be presenting the 3 Star dinner event, ‘Masters of the Kitchen,’ which will highlight its chefs and food and beverage students. During this event, Le Culinaire will also acknowledge Ike, its scholarship student, for his successful completion of his Certificate 3 III in Commercial Cookery.
Advice on Pursuing Dreams
Brad’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to start now. He believes that there is no right time and no time like the present to pursue your dreams and build your future. He advises people to stop procrastinating and telling themselves that they will start next week. This is not a resolution or a diet; it’s your dream, and you need to take action to make it a reality. So, get on your feet, get up, and start making it happen.
Establishing a Comprehensive Culinary University
At Le Culinaire, Brad has a vision to establish a comprehensive university that includes agriculture, butchery, on-site accommodation, and a function center. The university would offer a wide range of courses in hospitality and cookery, utilizing all of its own produce and products, creating a unique paddock-to-plate learning environment. This dream reflects Brad’s commitment to providing an immersive educational experience for students, where they can learn about every aspect of the culinary industry and develop a deep understanding of sustainable and locally-sourced food practices.
