Three catering course students from City of Bristol College tasted success, having triumphed in the South West regional heat of the 2010 Brakes Student Team Chef Challenge.

Regional winners

Winning a highly coveted place at the national final, the team will cook their winning menu again before an esteemed panel of judges at London’s Olympia on March 3rd to compete for the title of Student Team Chef Challenge Champions 2010.

Coached by City of Bristol College Chef Trainer Scott Lucas, the team members - Steve Gale, Katie Jones and Kelly Avis - prepared and cooked three courses for four in one hour 45 minutes under the watchful eye of the judges. The trio beat rivals from Carmarthenshire College and Newbury College at the regional heat. Judges assessed teams on the seasoning, taste, presentation, culinary skills, working methods and regionality of their menus, and this will again be the criteria for the final.

The successful menu

The City of Bristol College team served up scallops with curry spices, Aloo Gobi potatoes, pea and coconut veloute, followed by roast crown of duck with celeriac puree, spinach, wild mushrooms, bacon lardons, baby caramelised onions and Harvey's Bristol Cream jus. Following that, the trio served hot Bristol cake with toffee sauce, ginger poached pear and vanilla clotted cream ice cream.

Encouraging interest and support for British food

The competition, held in association with the catering industry’s leading professional body the Craft Guild of Chefs, is designed to encourage interest in and support for British food and cooking among teams of student chefs working towards their professional NVQ qualification in catering. It is a great opportunity for them to showcase their culinary skills before embarking on their first professional jobs.

Delighted to reach the national finals

Each winning team member received £75 of Brakes Catering Equipment vouchers, and were delighted to be given the news that they’d reached the national final and have a chance to win a five day work placement under the stewardship of Chris Basten at London’s prestigious County Hall.

Scott Lucas, team mentor and Chef Trainer at City of Bristol College, said: “The students did a fantastic job to get this far and the judges were very impressed. I’m confident the students will do well in the final, where they will bring together their skills, professionalism, creativity and teamwork to make their menu a success.”

"Outstanding dishes"

James Armitage, Marketing Director at Brakes, commented: “All the teams produced some outstanding dishes and it was wonderful to see their imaginative use of the local produce. The City of Bristol College students worked well together as a team producing an excellent well-balanced three course meal; they’re a credit to the college and their lecturers.”

Think you could train to be part of a future winning team?

The College offers a range of full-time and part-time catering and hospitality courses. Why not come along to our Catering and Hospitality Open Day at our Ashley Down Centre on 4 March 2010, 4pm - 7pm and find out more.