When Jackson Parkinson first walked into Martha Café as an 18-year-old trainee kitchen hand, he said he had little direction and even less confidence. 

Now, four years later, he walks away a qualified chef, equipped with a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery and a future full of possibilities. 

Martha Café, an initiative of CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning, provides employment pathways for young people who face barriers entering the workforce. For Jackson, it became much more than a workplace. 

“I started working at Martha Cafe in 2022 with John Du’bery, our head chef,” Jackson said.  

“The first two years of the apprenticeship were a little bit bumpy. I almost gave up a couple of times. 

“But luckily, support from John and (Operations Manager) Sally, really helped me stay motivated and keep going.” 

Jackson said finishing his apprenticeship has transformed his confidence and changed the way he sees himself. 

“My time’s actually worth something now,” he said. 

“I have the experience that I can apply for jobs and they’ll be chasing me up. Whereas, when I was 18, I was applying for every job and got no response. And now I’ve got people chasing me to work for them which is really good. 

“I’m just a whole lot more capable than I was. I was 18 when I started this job. I had no idea what the hell I was doing. I was completely clueless.”

“Before working here, I would just be sitting at home, not doing a whole lot, playing a lot of video games – really unmotivated and bored,” he said. 

These days, lacking motivation and purpose is no longer a problem. 

“No, definitely not. I’m too busy to be bored.” 

Jackson credits much of his growth to the mentorship of head chef John, whose patience and guidance kept him moving forward when things became difficult. 

“He was really, really good. Extremely patient and kind. He really taught me so much. He’s a really good chef. He’s been amazing. The best boss I could ask for,” Jackson said.  

Over time, Jackson became someone the team could rely on. 

“When I first started, the stress would get to me, but now I just know I’ve got to get on with it. Just get it done. We’re lucky here – we have a really good team. Everyone backs each other up. We all help each other out a lot.” 

That calm presence is something Operations Manager Sally McAllister said the team will deeply miss. 

“Jackson is the calm in the kitchen. He doesn’t say very much. He gets on with his job. He’s reliable. He’s always there and nothing’s too much for him,” said Sally.

“You think you’re pushing him too far with things and he just steps up and just steps up and he is more capable than he knows. Everyone will miss that.” 

For Sally, watching Jackson complete his apprenticeship is bittersweet. 

“It’s a very special thing to see someone through an entire apprenticeship,” she said. 

“So, you’re rooting for them the whole way, you’re hoping for success. You’re excited when they progress and when they finish, and then you know that they have to move on. So, you want them to spread their wings.” 

She said Jackson’s story reflects exactly why Martha Café exists. 

“It’s why I want to be part of Martha – watching people grow in confidence and skill and ability. And then take on the world, take on their next project, their next achievements. To be a small part of that journey for someone that’s extraordinarily special.” 

Jackson is now considering where cooking might take him next. Fine dining, hotels, resorts and even overseas travel are all on the table. 

“I’ve seen some working holiday things that look pretty interesting over in like Canada and America,” he said. “I can go anywhere in the world as a chef.” 

He knows the future will bring pressure and challenges, but he also knows how much he has already overcome. 

“I saw something the other day. It said: it’s a privilege to have pressure because it means you’re relied on,” Jackson said. 

For young people struggling with confidence or direction, Jackson has a simple message. 

“Don’t give up on yourself,” he said. 

“Don’t get too in your own head. That’s one of the biggest killers – overthinking and getting in your own head too much.” 

As he finishes up at Martha Café, there is clear gratitude on both sides. 

“I’m going to miss everyone here so much. It’s been like a family. It’s the best team I could ask for for my first job,” Jackson said.  

Sally feels the same. 

“I just wish him all the best and know that he can always come back. Don’t be a stranger. We will be family forever.”