A team from Westminster Kingsway College has emerged triumphant from the 2013/14 Brakes Student Chef Team Challenge live cook-off final, held as part of Hotelympia on 28 April. In front of a panel of eminent judges, the winning students beat off fierce competition from seven other outstanding college teams. Farnborough College of Technology came a close second, and South Lanarkshire College took third spot.
Entrants to this year’s competition, sponsored by BD Foods and ABP Food Group and supported by the Craft Guild of Chefs, were challenged to create a three-course, four-cover menu inspired by a ‘Back to Basics’ theme in just 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Teams from South Lanarkshire College, Mid Kent College, Westminster Kingsway College, South Eastern Regional College, Stratford Upon Avon College, Herefordshire and Ludlow College, The Sheffield City College and Farnborough College of Technology were selected to compete in the final. All finalists progressed through an initial paper judging stage, where a record breaking 87 team entries were received, and then a series of seven live Regional Heats that were held throughout the UK.
Winners and judges
The winning team of full time catering and hospitality students, Theo Dalton-Maag, Nathan Gayle and Samuel Jones, impressed a panel of five judges that included Christopher Basten, National Chairman of the Craft Guild of Chefs, Mark Irish, Head of Food Development at Brakes, Allister Bishop, Executive Sous Chef at Harrods, Donald McInnes, Executive Chef at Ayr Racecourse and Western House Hotel, and Gary Klaner, Executive Chef at The Landmark Hotel.
The winning menu started with cured mackerel two ways – seared and tartare – samphire, pickled seaweed, compressed rhubarb, “sand”, and wasabi mayonnaise, followed by a main of pancetta wrapped pork fillet, braised pigs cheek with black pudding, glazed carrots, chargrilled asparagus and broccoli, pommes soufflé and cider jus. Dessert was vanilla egg custard, spiced wine glazed plums, nutmeg toasts, orange meringue and orange gel.
Judge Mark Irish said: “The standard of cooking right the way through the competition has been exceptional and the final didn’t disappoint, with the Westminster Kingsway College team displaying the perfect combination of teamwork, technique and imagination to pip the other teams to the title. Their menu was beautifully executed and demonstrated a wonderful interpretation of the ‘Back to Basics’ competition theme.
“To cook dishes to this standard in a live final situation requires a tremendous amount of skill and temperament and Theo, Sam and Nathan showed plenty of both. Hopefully they’ll make a similar impact as they progress to professional careers within the industry.”
For full details on the Student Chef Team Challenge click here