Budding Chefs And Waiters Beat The Clock In Time Trial Contests
20 May 2008
Students taking part in the 'skills time trial' at Devonshire Campus in Buxton.
The standards were very high on the day
”Elisabeth Perry, Curriculum Manager Hospitality, Catering and Tourism.
It was ready, steady, cook and serve when trainee cooks and waiting staff from 16 colleges were pitted against each other – and the clock – in a ‘skills time trial’.
Twenty-six catering and hospitality students took part in two competitions held at, and also featuring students from, the University of Derby’s Devonshire Campus in Buxton.
The contests were part of the 2008 Learning and Skills Council ‘Expert Class’ initiative, a series of nationwide contests fostering different vocational skills in young people.
Trainee chefs had just 90 minutes on Friday 16 May to prepare and cook a delicious two-course meal for two, including a main course chicken dish and a pear-based dessert. Points were awarded for presentation and taste.
For their trial silver service hospitality staff had to prepare a restaurant table and drinks for four people, and serve them a three-course meal with a complementary wine they had chosen.
Competitors at the University of Derby Buxton performed under the watchful eyes of industry veterans.
The University was represented by Elisabeth Perry, who is Curriculum Manager for Hospitality, Catering and Tourism; Food Services Co-ordinator Sue Lawrence; Gerry Henry, Chef Coordinator, and members of the academic staff.
Gerry judged the Food Preparation contest along with Russell Allen – University of Nottingham Operations Manager for Catering and Banqueting, and Chairman of Competitions and Training Judges for the University Catering Organisation (TUCO) – and Tracey Carr, Executive Head Chef at Sheffield University.
Adam Evanson – founder of award-winning Macclesfield-based deli, cafe and outside catering company Allseasons – and David Croasdale, General Manager of the four star Barcelo Palace Hotel, assessed those serving in the Food Service skills competition.
Di McEvoy-Robinson and Jacqui Henderson of UK Skills, which oversees the skills competitions nationally, also attended Friday’s contests.
The winners of the two contests were announced at the end of the one-day event, receiving prizes of Russums (suppliers of professional kitchen and chefs’ equipment) vouchers worth a total of £337.50, and books.
In the Food Preparation contest chef Yanina Brooks from Manchester College of Arts and Technology took Gold, Tina Severn from the University of Derby Buxton won Silver and Sean Blomely from Tameside College was awarded Bronze.
The Food Service contest Gold went to James Constantine and Joe Cuffe from Tamworth and Lichfield College, Silver went to Wayne Lucas and Egle Pumputyte of Stockport College, and the third place Bronze went to Emma Martin and Emily Dixon from the University of Derby Buxton.
Elisabeth Perry, of the University of Derby Buxton, said: “This was an ideal opportunity for us to showcase the great talent that we are fostering on our courses here at the University. The standards were very high on the day.”
Di McEvoy-Robinson, of UK Skills, added: “Elisabeth Perry and the team at the University of Derby were stars, clearly enjoy working with the students and are passionate about young people achieving excellence in all they do.
“The skills competition held at Buxton was an exciting opportunity for young Hospitality and Catering students from the region to compete in a real event, judged by experienced professionals.”
She hoped such events would help students aspire to even greater heights, such as entering the World Skills event to be held in London in 2011 which will feature competitors from around the globe.
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For further media information please contact press release author Press and PR Officer Sean Kirby on 01332 593004 or 07876 476103, or email s.kirby@derby.ac.uk.
