Teen lands role with cussing chef

Antony Kapeli-Sua and chef Gordon Ramsay. Photo / Dean Purcell

Hard work, perseverance and a whole lot of love has earned a South Auckland teen an internship with superstar chef Gordon Ramsay.

Antony Kapeli-Sua impressed Ramsay when the famously foul-mouthed chef visited Auckland during a fundraiser for The Rising Foundation last year.

Kapeli- Sua's school, Papakura High, has been supported by the charity and the then-17-year-old caught the eye of Ramsay, who told him to stop by London if he followed his dream to study in France.

Kapeli-Sua, now 18, is in his first year of a diploma in culinary arts at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT).

But he didn't forget Ramsay's offer. Neither did his teacher, Gaynor Matthews. She followed up Ramsay's visit by emailingamember of his staff to ask if the talented teen could do work experience at one of his London restaurants.

Come on over, Ramsay replied.

A humble Matthews played down her involvement. "I don't think I'm pushy, it's more I'm well connected and can get the students the best opportunities.

I've always said to my students, 'you don't have to stay in Papakura. You can get out, you can travel the world'."

And that's what Kapeli-Sua wants. He can't wait until he gets on that plane to London next March or April.

He'll probably stay for three months and learn as much as he can, he said. None of it would be have been possible without Matthews' help.

"She pushed me quite a lot in terms of competition. If it wasn't for her and her training then I wouldn't be doingwhat I'm doing now so I'm really grateful to her."

Others have also got behind the teen, Matthews said.

Financial or other support had come from MIT, The Rising Foundation, Bidvest and City and Guilds.

"We've all been looking after his interests and supporting the opportunity.

Antony himself did a lot of work. He's got a lot of passion and drive." Kapeli-Sua said he would return to NewZealand to complete his diploma, but then planned to go back to London and ask Ramsay for a job.

He wasn't intimidated by the hot-tempered chef, who is known for his brash style as the star of reality cooking shows Hell's Kitchen, F-Word, MasterChef US and Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares.

"I'll be able to handle him swearing at me. It's such a massive privilege [to work with him]."