He got his start cooking schnitzels and steaks at Winmalee Tavern but in just six days, teenager Kai Mercieca-Greenland will begin working in the kitchen of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's newest Australian restaurant.
The 17-year-old - who has been training at Katoomba's Carrington Hotel for almost a year while studying at Wentworth Falls TAFE - is one of just 12 apprentice chefs hired by Jamie's Trattoria in Parramatta, due to open by June.
"It's such an exciting opportunity because cooking is all I can ever remember I wanted to do," Kai said.
His mum, Erin, spotted the job advertisement two months ago and Kai admits he initially felt daunted by how many others were likely to go for it. "But mum said apply anyway, so I did."
After two interviews, he got a call a fortnight ago - a third-year apprenticeship spot was his.
"When that call came I was in the middle of signing something at a shop and I was so excited I couldn't do it properly - my hands were shaking."
"I can't wait to start . . . my first day will be May 5. I remember watching his [Jamie Oliver's] television shows from when I was a kid and I've always liked what he is doing with food."
Kai said he learnt "a broad range of skills" while working in two different kitchens at the Carrington under the guidance of Grand Dining Room executive chef Sam Commins, Old City Bank Brasserie head chef Anita Bray and chef Nick James.
"I feel a lot more confident in myself after coming here. I also think a lot of it [success] comes from the support people behind you - in my case my parents, Ben my step-dad who's always been into cooking, and my girlfriend, Tiarne."
Jamie's Trattoria Parramatta will have a seasonal food focus and offer a wide range of rustic and flavoursome pasta dishes.
"That's the type of food I'm most interested in [Mediterranean] because my great grandmother is Maltese," Kai said.
"After I complete my apprenticeship I'll look at travelling to Malta, Italy or Greece - I think it would be really cool to work over there."
The chefs at the Carrington Hotel said they are proud of Kai's new prized position.
Executive chef Sam Commins said whenever Kai got a chance "he would always be tinkering with flavours and trying out new combinations to put on as specials. This position will be a good stepping stone for his career."