Manchester College crowned at Student Chef Team Challenge

In a fast paced and exciting live cook off at the UK’s largest exhibition for the foodservice industry, Hotelympia, a team of student chefs from The Manchester College have been crowned the winners of the 2012 Brakes Student Chef Team Challenge.

The competition, organised by leading foodservice supplier, Brakes Group challenged teams of three full time catering and hospitality students from colleges throughout the UK to devise a three course meal for four covers at a cost of no more than £10 per cover.

The winning team from The Manchester College comprised of Laura Daniels, Robert Somerville and Jessica Jackson.

Mark Amesbury, tutor for The Manchester College commented; “We are extremely proud of the team whose hard work and enthusiasm has been instrumental in their success.

“To come here, for only the second time and win, demonstrates our students’ dedication and enthusiasm for the industry.

“From their involvement in the Student Chef Team Challenge competition our students will gain not only the chance to work alongside top chefs in one of London’s most prestigious restaurants, but also an insight into the hospitality industry and new skills which will be invaluable to their future careers.”

The panel of industry experts, including top chef Christopher Basten, was delighted with the overall standard of student entries, but the menu devised by The Manchester College was selected as the winner because the dishes were well presented, served on time and all the judges were blown away by the taste of the cooked-to-perfection scallops and the North Wests’ favourite Eccles Cake, transformed into a modern ice cream.

James Armitage, marketing director for the Brakes Group added: “Brakes is passionate about finding and supporting young talent within the foodservice industry. The Student Chef Team Challenge aims to provide support for young chefs by offering them the chance to practice their skills in a professional kitchen and to gain a working insight into the hospitality industry. This year’s competition has demonstrated the wealth of talent in catering colleges up and down the country and I would like to congratulate all our finalists on the effort, imagination and talent they have displayed. I have no doubt they will be an asset to the profession.”

The competition, which was held on 27th February at Hotelympia followed a series of regional heats held across the UK during January. The Manchester College beat off tough competition from five competing teams from North Warwickshire and Hinckley College, Herefordshire College of Technology, Thanet College, Westminster Kingsway College and City of Glasgow College.

In addition to a work experience placement the competition winners each received a set of Global knifes, commemorative award plate, medals and framed certificate along with the coveted winners trophy. The two runners up, City of Glasgow College and Herefordshire College of Technology received Brakes Catering Equipment vouchers with their medals and certificates. All finalists received a year’s free membership to the Craft Guild of Chefs and a competition chefs jacket.