Young Chefs Relish Prospect of Winning National Contest
26 April 2013
Two of the University of Derby Buxton Finalists, Andrew Collis and Joe Penrose, with (far left) their Chef Lecturer Robert Stordy, and (right) Strategic Director of the University of Derby Buxton, Dr Peter Dewhurst.
We are absolutely delighted to have made it through to the grand final, these tasks are going to really challenge the students' creativity and cooking skills, but after making it this far we are confident that can go on to win it.
”Robert Stordy, University of Derby Buxton Chef-Lecturer.
A team of talented young chefs from the University of Derby Buxton who have made it into the finals of a prestigious national competition are cooking up some tantalising new recipes in preparation.
The five Hospitality and Professional Culinary Arts students clearly impressed judges of the Nestlé's Toque d'Or® Competition 2013 with their two course menu in the earlier heats, held at the Hospitality Show at the Birmingham NEC in January (2013).
Finalists Andrew Collis, 20, from Loughborough and Joe Penrose, 19, from Driffield, who are both in the second year of a Foundation degree in Professional Culinary Arts degree; and second year Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Joint Honours degree student Prabjot Ragbotra, 20, from Birmingham, took the roles of chef, commis chef and front of house in Birmingham.
Andrew and Prabjot will now compete against seven other teams at the national finals in May (2013) - an intensive four-day long competition - where they will have to impress judges during a range of challenges and tasks designed to put them through their paces.
Previous grand final challenges have included cooking and serving lunch at the Armed Forces culinary training centre in Winchester using basic equipment under a military mess tent, and getting involved in the catering preparations for the VIP suites at the O2 Arena for the opening night of Jay-Z and Kanye West's UK tour.
Robert Stordy, University of Derby Buxton Chef-Lecturer, said: "This is probably the most respected student team catering competition in the UK, and is highly regarded within the industry.
"We are absolutely delighted to have made it through to the grand final, these tasks are going to really challenge the students' creativity and cooking skills, but after making it this far we are confident that can go on to win it."
Nestlé Professional Managing Director, Neil Stephens, added: "We like to think that the Nestlé Toque d'Or competition has become renowned for really testing the mettle of students and challenging them in all areas, from top-line business planning to exceptional cooking and customer services skills, often in pretty radical settings.
"This year's grand final will be no different and if anything, to celebrate our 25th anniversary, we'll be looking to push the boundaries even further."
The winners will be crowned at a glittering awards ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel on June 4 (2013). They will be rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime work experience placement with renowned chef Anton Mosimann, while all finalists are being offered a week-long paid placement with contract caterer CH&Co as part of the Nestlé Toque d'Or 'Take One' work placement initiative.
For more details on the competition please visit www.nestle-toquedor.co.uk
For more information on the Professional Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management degrees at the University of Derby Buxton visit www.derby.ac.uk/udb
