Students enjoy taste of success 27.05.2009
Budding chefs from Blackburn and across the North West, put their culinary skills to the test at this year’s Young Chef Competition at Blackburn College.Our Lady and St John student Alex Airey, 15, of Viscount Avenue and Pleckgate High student Nazia Arif, 16, of Ambleside Close picked up an award for their seared supreme of salmon dish accompanied with stir fried vegetables, tofu fritters and sesame seed dressing.
The annual event is designed to allow young competitors to demonstrate their culinary skills and to give pupils a taster of the further education courses available and to make the transition from school to college easier for pupils.
Thirty-three competitors from 11 schools across the North West attended a series of workshops, which culminated in a competition judged by lecturers from the College’s Hospitality department.
Nazia said: “I had so much fun and made so many new friends; I still can’t believe I produced such tasty food, I’m really proud of myself.”
Over a four week period the aspiring chefs met at the College on Saturday mornings to learn a variety of sweet and savoury recipes including lemon tart, tuille biscuits, poached egg with spinach and Hollandaise sauce, pommes nouvelle and ratatouille.
The event was organised by three Blackburn College Hospitality tutors – Ian Crook, Kevin Swales and Iain Steele.
Iain said: “This is the fourth year the programme has been running and it’s been a huge success with a record number of students this year.
“The students have worked very hard on the course and have produced excellent dishes; they are a dedicated conscientious group of students who were a pleasure to teach.” added Iain.
“As a result of the Young Chef events there is always a huge amount of interest in our Hospitality courses and we’ve seen young people inspired by this course come onto full time learning and Apprenticeships which is fantastic,” concluded Kevin.
For further information on courses available at Blackburn College please contact Student Services on 01254 29-29-29 or visit their website www.blackburn.ac.uk.
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