KRISTIAN Lantz from Blythewood, USA, participates in a chef exchange program.

Blythewood, situated in South Carolina, is a small town with a population of about 2500.

Former Blythewood High School Teacher William "Chef” Turner developed the Blythewood "Down Under” Exchange Program between Blythewood High School and the Queensland College of Wine Tourism.

For one month, Kristian stays in Stanthorpe to work in the QCWT's kitchen.

Jess Marsden is in her final year of apprenticeship at the QCWT.

This year was the first time, the QCWT send one of their chefs, Ms Marsden, to South Carolina.

The 19-year-old said it was a great experience seeing that particular area in America.

"I saw and did some amazing things there,” she said.

The apprentice said she especially enjoyed visiting Columbia and Charleston.

"I worked at a local restaurant for two days and at the Blythewood High School,” Ms Marsden said.

She said she would definitely recommend it to others.

"I was only a few days in and I said these guys have to go,” she said.

For Ms Marsden it wasn't so much a culinary but a cultural experience.

The apprentice said the cooking standard was lower at the school than at the QCWT but she still enjoyed it.

Ms Marsden said one new dish she learnt and enjoyed during her stay was fried green tomatoes.

"They are actually really good,” she said.

At Blythewood High School, Kristian visits cooking classes.

"We have three different levels of classes ,” he said.

"You learn the basics there.”

The 17-year-old said his cooking teacher at school asked him to join the program.

"Then he told me I was flying to Australia,” he said.

Kristian said there was a great difference between Australian and American cooking.

"We use a lot of processed food in America,” he said.

"It is already battered and you just throw it in (the deep fryer).”

He said he liked learning how to make everything from scratch at QCWT.

Kristian said he hoped to work in the hotel management and culinary industry after finishing school and a two year culinary technical school-degree.