Posted: 09/09/11
Gastronomy goes global at college
Dishes from around the world were served up to professional chefs during a cookery challenge at Vision West Notts this week.
Eight teams of catering students put their cooking and presentation skills to the test on Thursday (8 September) during a three-hour competition cook-off judged by local professionals from the catering industry.
More than 30 students on level 2 and 3 catering courses were challenged to produce a three-course meal for two people, based on a set nationality - and with a budget of just £10 to spend.
Students selected their country at random the day before the competition and purchased the ingredients from local supermarkets in preparation for the challenge, held at the college’s Number 19 Brasserie.
Winning the challenge with their Spanish themed menu were Heather Powditch, 19, Ryan Goward, 21, and Amber Dodd and Stacey Thorpe, both 17.
Their dishes comprised of a Gazpacho starter, chicken chorizo paella main course, followed by a desert of orange and almond cake.
Ryan, from Mansfield, said: “We really enjoyed the challenge. We ensured we prepared well so we could dedicate our attention to the cooking. Everyone did really well and we were so proud to win.”
The competition was judged by Troy Lamb from Lambs at the Market in Mansfield, Alain Launay from Launay’s Restaurant in Edwinstowe, catering staff at the college and Sheila Russell and Jo Piliero from Welbeck Estate’s School of Artisan Food.
Troy Lamb said: “The winning students’ technical skills really stood out from the other groups. I was very impressed by the range of flavours and great presentation skills.
“They really deserved to win and we all enjoyed watching how well they worked together as a team.”
The winning team scooped prizes of recipe books and a voucher to spend at Lambs at the Market.
Caption: (l-r) Students Ryan Goward, Heather Powditch, Stacey Thorpe and Amber Dodd with judges Troy Lamb, Sheila Russell and Alain Launay.
