Graduate profiles

Following are profiles of some of our recent graduates.

Andersen, Øyvind
Øyvind is possibly the best qualified chef in Norway. In addition to his Master of Arts in Gastronomy degree, he has a Bachelor of Management from the BI Norwegian School of Management (Trondheim and Oslo), and an Advanced Chef diploma (Diplomkokk) and sommelier certificate from the Gastronomisk Institutt (the Culinary Institute of Norway). He is now studying for his teaching certificate at the University of Trondheim NTNU and also teaching at the local chef school, Ladejarlen Videregående Skole. "I find it very rewarding to work with youth and I get to use all my gastronomic experience, from craftsmanship to academic."

Ankeny, Rachel A.
Following completion of her master's thesis, Rachel joined the academic staff of the Graduate Program in Gastronomy at Adelaide as senior lecturer, where she is teaching and pursuing her research interests in food ethics, science and food, and Italian diaspora foodways, among other topics.

Dixon, Kirsten
Kirsten is now an adjunct professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage's Culinary Arts program teaching a cookery course on Japanese cuisine. She is also studying in the PhD program in hospitality at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Kirsten's book, The Winterlake Lodge Cookbook, won in the "Best Female Chef USA" category at the Gourmand International Cookbook Awards.

Edelen, Jaci
"Earning my Masters was a life-changing experience for me. Not only did I receive an amazing education, but through numerous one-on-one meetings with my professors, I was also encouraged to open up my eyes to the world around me. This experience has led me to pursue a career that is stronlgly centred on international relations." Jaci now works as an Attorney (Tax & Immigration Areas) in California, USA.

Jackson, Edward
"I found the program to be highly valuable and rewarding, which has enabled me to continue studies in this specialist field. I especially enjoyed the flexibility of the program which combined coursework subjects and an independent research thesis. The Masters degree has provided me a solid platform upon which to pursue specialist postings within the Department of Defence which deal with international issues, or equally to seek broader employment opportunities outside of the Department." Edward is a Captain and Staff Officer Grade 3 Operations, Headquarters Training Command - Army in Sydney.

Moore, Margaret
"I have always been interested in studying beyond normal boundaries and applying new thinking into current work practices. This study has equipped me with the ability to think both convergently and divergently providing fresh ideas, knowledge and tools enabling me to contribute to the Australian Government's Indigenous Policy agenda." Margaret is Director of Human Resources for a Commonwealth Agency in Canberra.

Nakayama, Tomoko
Tomoko completed courses in European art, Australian art, Modern art and Australian Indigenous art and then in her MA thesis focussed on Japanese Avant-Garde art from 1950 - 1970. Her thesis was entitled: The Post-War Japanese Avant-Garde Movements: The Distinct Phase of Anti-Art 1954 - 1970. Gutai, Neo-Dada, Hi Red Centre and Mono-ha. She completed much of the primary research for the thesis in Tokyo, working from Japanese language texts.

She is currently continuing to study Contemporary art in Japan and is taking a Critical Reading course which focuses on a close reading of various theoretical and critical texts on contemporary art practices. She lives in Tokyo, where she enjoys a rich exposure to art exhibitions and lectures.

Richardson, Kay
Kay now hosts the Young Gourmet National Gastronomy Competition (www.younggourmet.com) for Australian school students and has established a registered charity called The Children's Food Education Foundation (www.childrensfoodeducation.org.au). This promotes an understanding of food, health, nutrition and healthy food choices by children and young people, especially those with chronic illness, disabilities, mental disorders and those who provide care for themselves or others. She is a member of the Food Media Club of Australia and assisted in developing their 'Food Explorer' school program and was a judge for the World Food Media Awards in 2005. She has had articles published in Gastronomica and Australian Good Taste and has organised children's food events for Tasting Australia and the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival.