Loughborough college students cook up storm

Three catering course students from Loughborough College tasted success having triumphed in the Midlands regional heat of Brakes Student Team Chef Challenge.

Winning a place in the national final, the team will be required to cook their winning menu again before another tough panel of leading chefs in Glasgow on March 4.

Coached by chef lecturer Darren Creed, team members – Adam Middleton, Lindsey Colman and Kylie Danvers - prepared and cooked three courses for four in just one hour and 45 minutes under the judges' close scrutiny.

Serving up deconstructed pork pie, Leicestershire venison fillet and trio of desserts including Ashbourn ginger bead ice cream and poached pear; the trio out-cooked their rivals from North Warks & Hinckley, Milton Keynes and Cambridge Regional colleges.

Darren Creed, team mentor and catering lecturer at Loughborough College, said: "The students should be particularly pleased with their achievement. It's great to see the students' hard work pay off. It isn't an easy competition as they were up against tough competition, but their teamwork, talent and determination paid off. We are all very proud of the young chefs who have been working hard since January, practicing at every opportunity and their award is extremely well deserved. The competition has proved a massive confidence boost for the team."

Judged on their use and interpretation of regional/local ingredients and dishes, the team was also scored on taste, presentation, teamwork, seasoning, culinary skills, working methods and overall balance.

Now in its 15th year, the competition is held in association with the catering industry's leading professional body the Craft Guild of Chefs. Designed to raise awareness and instil passion for British food and cooking, it's targeted at teams of student chefs working towards their professional NVQ qualification in catering and is an opportunity for them to showcase their culinary skills before embarking on their first professional job.

Each receiving £75 of Brakes Catering Equipment vouchers, the team members were delighted to be given the news that they'd reached the national final and have the chance to win a work placement with leading chef Christopher Basten at London's prestigious County Hall.

Judge Bill Farnsworth from the Craft Guild of Chefs commented: "All the student teams produced some outstanding dishes and it was wonderful to see their imaginative use of local produce. The Loughborough students worked well together as a team producing an excellent well-balanced three course meal; they're a credit to the college and their lecturers and hopefully they will bring the trophy back to the Midlands in the national final."

Words: Clare Riley

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