What we do: • Raise the profile and quality of the hospitality industry in the North East to equal that of anywhere in the country. • Work closely with colleges, restaurants and hotels, from students at entry level to those at management level. • Attract chefs, restaurateurs and colleges from outside the region to Newcastle. • Work directly in colleges with students to develop competition techniques. • Arrange the competition schedule to encourage lecturers to focus on specific skills. • Strive through training to encourage juniors to remain in the region. • Work closely with employers to provide employment opportunities for students and junior chefs. • Compose the competition schedule to link with local food producers, thereby showcasing their products throughout the two days. • Organise chef's conferences with local chefs. • Teamed up with British Sugarcraft Guild Newcastle, closing a gap between North Yorkshire and Scotland. This is now a permanent venture • NECTA is now forming a team of chefs to participate a various venues across the country, acting as ambassadors for Newcastle. 2010 Event Local colleges participating Newcastle Derwentside New College Durham South Tyneside Tyne Metropolitan Gateshead 28th September North East Junior Chef of the Year 2010 - Alnwick Gardens 2011 Events 12th-13th April 2011 NECTA @ CIVIC, North East Culinary and Trade Exhibition, Newcastle Civic Centre September 2011 North East Junior Chef of the Year 2011 - Alnwick Gardens Colleges from outside the region Doncaster Bedford Kircaldy Edinburgh Nottingham National Judges Paul Gayler, executive head chef, Lanesborough Hotel, London Andrew Bennett, executive chef, Sheraton Hotel, Hyde Park Lane, London Henry Brosi, executive chef, Dorchester Hotel, London Cyrus Todiwala, proprietor and executive head chef, Cafe Spice Namaste London Stephen Scuffell, Crown Moran Hotel, London Alan Shipman, executive development chef, Sodexo, London Charity Work Each year we work with a chosen charity to raise funds. This year we are working with the Bubble Foundation at Newcastle General Hospital. The NECTA committee is made up of a wide selection of catering professionals, chefs, restaurateurs, lecturers and manufacturers who all give up their time voluntarily to work together to promote their passion for the food and drink industry.