Melbourne alumnus makes MasterChef Indonesia Top 3

Nick Nierxen, who studied a Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery at Le Cordon Bleu Melbourne, has made waves in his home country of Indonesia since graduating in 2019. On a recent trip back to Australia, we caught up with the 25-year-old culinary creative who placed third in Season 11 of MasterChef Indonesia.

What did you love most about your time at Le Cordon Bleu Australia? 

I loved that I could learn and meet lots of different people from different backgrounds, especially all the chefs which I felt were really professional and very helpful on how to take us to another level.

Do you think studying at Le Cordon Bleu has helped elevate your career? If so, how?

Definitely! It developed my potential and passion towards cooking. I learnt a lot about discipline and creativity which is why I was able to make the Top 3 on MasterChef Indonesia.

What made you want to enter MasterChef?

I really wanted to try and challenge myself to a different level, which allowed me to compete with 1000+ contestants, right down to the Top 24 who are selected! I believe the knowledge that I received from Le Cordon Bleu definitely helped me along the way.

When participating in the challenges during MasterChef, did you ever refer back to Le Cordon Bleu and what the chef lecturers taught you?

“Keep it simple but flavour is key” is what Chef Steffen and Chef Barry from the Melbourne campus taught me. I served crab cappuccino to the judges which was one of Le Cordon Bleu Melbourne’s recipes. I adapted it and made it my own which allowed me to create the best dish during one of the challenges.

What is your advice to those who might be thinking of studying at Le Cordon Bleu Australia?

Don’t think! Trust me, it will be the best decision you will ever make in your life.

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