Grampians Health chef Graeme Sonntag arrived at Wimmera Base Hospital in 1994 to help its food services team convert from a cook-fresh style to a cool-chill cooking program.

Mr Sonntag’s plan was to work for six weeks during the conversion. 

Three decades later, he is finally hanging up his spatula and settling into retirement.

An emotional Mr Sonntag said he loved every minute of the past 30 years at Grampians Health.

“It’s been great. I’ve loved working here and love the people I’ve worked with and I’m going to miss them,” he said.

Food services manager Stephen Hill said Mr Sonntag had made a huge contribution to the team and was well liked by his colleagues.

“Graeme has been a real team player. He would do anything he was asked and was always happy to slot into a role when needed,” Mr Hill said.

“He was flexible in his role and a quiet gentleman who enjoyed the occasional laugh with his colleagues. 

“Importantly, he has been a ‘go-to’ person for his team because of his great culinary knowledge.

“We’ve been fortunate to have a strong team of long-term chefs who’ve all worked so well together and Graeme is the first to leave the band.

“It won’t be the same without him and we’ll miss him greatly.”

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