The Future Chef competition, which is aimed at encouraging young people to consider a career in catering and open to school children aged between 12 and 16, involved taking part in a heat at their school before competing in a regional heat hosted in the College’s prestigious Trevenson Restaurant kitchens at Camborne.
Young representatives from St Joseph’s School, Penair School and Richard Lander School competed against each other in the regional heat, producing a main course and dessert to be judged by a panel of judges on their workmanship, creativity, menu balance and dish taste.
Judge Mike Turner, Chair of the Devon and Cornwall Institute of Hospitality, said: “The students are all nervous but they’re doing a brilliant job. There’s lots of imagination in their dishes and I can see the influence of cookery programmes and celebrity chefs, which is great.”
Neil Medhurst, Youth Programmes Manager for Springboard, said: “The standard this year has been amazingly high, and I’m very impressed by the level of skill the students have shown. Cooking is an important life skill and having the ability to cook and knowledge of the nutritional values of food is important. The facilities here at the College are fantastic and give the students a real taste of what a professional kitchen is like.”
The winning student was Mason Winwood from Penair School in Truro who will now go on to compete in the regional final to be held at Petroc College in Devon in February 2013.
Mason, whose winning menu consisted of roast venison followed by a chocolate fondant, said: “I’m so pleased that I won! I worked really hard and tried my best, which definitely paid off. I’m excited about the next stage, and I’m going to practice even harder. I’ll be tweaking my menu too – I might even try seasonal fish this time!”
Dave Linnell, Principal of Cornwall College, said: “As a college, we’re always really keen to encourage the next generation of learners and supporting activities like this is really important in showcasing what we can offer to support them in achieving their future career goals. I wish Mason the best of luck in the next stage of the competition.”
