Team Profile - Sylvia Parsons (Team Manager)

Sylvia Parsons (pictured above) hails from the tourism region of Devon in Southwest England. She recalls a love of cooking and a desire to have a career in hospitality from the age of 10.

Sylvia was an ‘A-Grade’ home economics student, which ultimately paved the way to formal studies at North Devon Catering College, where she studied a rigorous 3 year qualification in an OND Diploma of Hotel Catering, and City and Guilds Trade Certificate.

After working for several of Devon’s tourism establishments, Sylvia immigrated to Australia in 1982, were she eventually managed and operated several Kingaroy motels.

In 1988 Sylvia, together with her husband, took over the rains of the iconic Bunya Mountains Eco Tourism Resort, which she operated and developed for the next 15 years.

After moving on from the Bunya Mountains, Sylvia perused a career in hospitality vocational training with Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE, where she shares her wealth of experience teaching various food and beverage related qualifications.

Nowadays, Sylvia balances her teaching position with contract employment in Brisbane through Zenith Hospitality Services, working in a diverse range of establishments such as, Carlton Crest, Stanford Plaza, Gianni’s Function Centre, Jupiter’s Casino and the Gold Coast Convention Centre.

Sylvia is currently a member of the Australasian Barista Guild and has competed in the Queensland State Barista Championships, recently qualifying sixth in the state.

As a veteran Team South Burnett Manager, Sylvia is looking forward to returning to Adelaide and representing her region and showcasing its world class produce, wine and hospitality skills.