After high school, Joshua West envisioned becoming a nurse. He never thought he would be a chef.   At 25, Josh is a head chef at Peninsula Palms.

Anything Can Happen

“After finishing high school at 17, I started working at FIFO (Fly-In Fly-Out).  I lived in the remote town of Pannawonica with my parents, who also worked there. Instead of going to university right away, I decided to work to save some money.  In 2017, I joined Sodexo to work as a service attendant and housekeeper.”

“Pannawonica is a small community, and I got the job after a chance meeting with the housekeeping supervisor.  I ended up deferring my university offer and working full-time because I didn't feel ready for college,” he said. 

“I worked at the Pannawonica Tavern, helping out in the kitchen and building a close-knit team.  I formed a strong friendship with the head chef, who provided me with a lot of guidance.  I eventually got the opportunity to do a chef apprenticeship and gained experience in kitchen work and knife handling.”

After commencing a 3-year apprenticeship with Sodexo in 2018 and successfully completing his Certificate III in Commercial Cookery in 2021, he became a fully qualified chef and remained in the business, taking a full-time position in the coastal region. “Throughout my career, I worked at five different sites and learned a lot from the amazing chefs I worked alongside," Joshua shared.

Passion Starts Here

When asked about his passion for food, he said, “My passion started when I had the opportunity to create food.  I was also interested in the business side of it, such as the costs and how Food Platform works.  We had to create our menus with the tavern and set costs for them.  That side was fascinating, as was the ordering and stock take.”

“I never thought this was the career pathway I’d jump into.  I was always heavily focused on nursing and the medical field.  I have kept it a hobby rather than a career,” he added.

“Two things make my job enjoyable: training and teaching the staff.  When the kitchen staff raise their eyebrows to see what you're doing, you share the process and help them understand the task, how it works, and what the end result will be.  This allows the staff to improve their skills, and from there on, you pretty much take them under your wing.”

When asked about his favourite thing about FIFO, Joshua shared, "I appreciate the lifestyle, as I'm accustomed to the routine from my boarding school background.  It was very familiar to me to jump straight into that.  Accommodation differs from boarding school, but the general facilities, like the dining area, are very familiar.  As well as the work-life balance," Joshua shared.

Lead by Example

"The leadership within the company has been truly exceptional.  Their support and ability to cultivate strong trust within the team have been nothing short of remarkable.  Their skills and knowledge have not only influenced me greatly but have also enabled me to lead by example," Josh shared.

"Navigating the initial phases of leadership was undeniably challenging as I worked to establish boundaries. However, with time and experience, I have developed the ability to transition between different leadership roles seamlessly.  It has become increasingly clear that understanding my team and mastering effective communication and operational skills are essential components of my leadership responsibilities."

"I try to help the team understand each other's working styles, thought processes, and skill sets.  I've noticed that each person gravitates towards a certain flavour profile.  Pairing one chef with another to learn and understand from each other helps to build a better understanding of each other's specialties and improves teamwork."

"Sometimes our personal lives can impact our work; being isolated from friends and family for two weeks is a long time, so I make it a point to have meaningful conversations with my staff.  This allows me to understand what's happening in their lives and make sure they're doing okay."

"My Sodexo career has had a positive impact on me, as it has provided me with an opportunity to enter the FIFO and mining industry.  Although it shifted me in a different direction, landing me in a spot I didn't expect, it has been a good journey over the years; thanks to the support of different managers and colleagues, it has pushed and encouraged me in this direction."

Josh's emphasis on the value of asking questions has resonated deeply with me.  He stressed the importance of actively seeking guidance from senior leadership and consistently seeking clarity through inquiry.  "Chase it, talk to leadership, and take their guidance. Remember to ask questions," he emphasised.

He added, "Don't stress about it too much. There are people who will support you. There's always going to be support on-site ."