Apprentice chef of the year is the new title bestowed upon Kate Connor from the Grand Bar and Brasserie.

Ms Connor has been recognised as the Illawarra region's top apprentice chef.

"I was very surprised," Ms Connor said, who was rated number one in a region that included the South Coast, ACT, Southern Highlands and Southern Tablelands.

She is a fourth-year apprentice and has been employed at the Grand since moving to the Highlands five years ago.

The young chef said she became interested in a cooking career when she met Alison Brown.

"Alison's food reflects her feelings for it (food)," she said.

"Her integrity is measured by the high standard she places on her work."

This is the same standard Ms Connor is aiming for.

The competition was open to all apprentices in their fourth year in 2002.

Assessments on academic achievement, employer references, awareness of trends in training, career goals and industry knowledge were all part of the judging process.

"There were two lots of interviews and the second round was much tougher than the first," she said.

Ms O'Connor was the only female award recipient in the awards' nine categories.

She is currently undertaking a patisserie course at TAFE and as the senior apprentice is the resident chef on Sunday nights and has already established a band of loyal customers.

"There is always a great deal of support from my boss for what I am doing," Ms Connor said.

Her fellow employees said they had no doubt she was in the running for the award.