The Academy heads for Dublin today

The Craft Guild of Chefs' Culinary Academy is off to the Emerald Isle Ireland today (9 February) to compete at this year's World Association of Chefs' national team challenge alongside their esteemed mentors.

The competition-focused Academy, launched a year ago, will battle alongside a range of teams during the contest, which will run until Wednesday (11 February).

Academy protégés Sophie Wright, freelance chef and food writer (who picked up silver in Hospitality's fast paced Grand Prix), and James Davis, chef de partie at Eton College, will join three Academy mentors in the attempt to create a winning Display Buffet in the Restaurant of Nations and a three course meal for 70 covers.

Mentors are Vince Cottam, senior lecturer, Westminster Kingsway College (captain), Chris Basten, executive chef, Marriott County Hall, and Dennis Mwakulua, executive chef, Fujitsu Siemens.

Andrew Ditchfield from the House of commons and Rosie Angus and Kate Sims, both students at Westminster Kingsway College, will support the team in Ireland and compete individually in the Junior Restaurant Plates class, with assistance from mentor Vince Cottam.

Team leader Andy Twells said: "The Craft Guild of Chefs' Culinary Academy continues to support its up and coming members, whilst investing in future talent such as Andrew, Rosie and Kate, with help from their mentor Vince Cottam. In Ireland, they have the chance to test the water and gain invaluable experience for their future."

Words: Maria Bracken

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