Silver Triumph for St Austell’s Culinary Stars at National Chef Competition

St Austell Cookery Enthusiasts Celebrate at London’s Prestigious Food Event

In an impressive showcase of culinary expertise, three professional cookery students from St Austell have clinched silver medals at the Country Range UK Student Chef Challenge. The competition, part of the grand International Salon Culinaire, took place at the Excel Food and Hospitality Show in London, marking a significant achievement for the first-time participants from Cornwall College.

A Menu of Champions

Harley, Abigale, and Lucy, all students of The Cornwall College Group (TCCG) at its St Austell campus, wowed the judges with their exquisite dishes, prepared using fresh ingredients sourced from Billingsgate Fish Market. Their participation not only highlighted their culinary skills but also placed TCCG on the national stage, reinforcing its reputation as the top further education college for education and training in Cornwall.

Reflections on Success

Lucy shared her excitement about their performance, “The competition was really tough and this is the first time we competed on such a grand stage, in the final of Country Range UK Student Chef Challenge. The fact that Cornwall College made it to the final was an amazing achievement, but coming in third place was just an icing on the cake for us.”

Harley echoed the sentiment, highlighting the opportunity to showcase their abilities: “This experience has been a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our skills. We put in a lot of hard work and dedication, and it feels incredible to see it pay off.”

Abigale spoke about the intensity of the competition: “Being part of this competition was both challenging and rewarding. It pushed us to our limits and allowed us to grow as chefs.”

Teamwork and Preparation

Alan Holloway, TCCG’s Study Programme Manager for Patisserie and Catering, commented on the preparation that went into the competition. “Our students have worked incredibly hard over the last few months by practicing and refining their techniques. Cornwall College has received fantastic feedback from the judges, emphasising how well our learners work together, showing a great level of teamwork at a competition of this level,” he stated.

Future Culinary Stars

Steve Rudd, the study programme manager for professional cookery at TCCG, is hopeful about the future implications of this success: “This achievement will positively influence aspiring chefs and young pupils to explore cookery options at Cornwall College and continue shining on national stages at competitions.”

Explore Culinary Arts

For those interested in following in the footsteps of Harley, Abigale, and Lucy, Cornwall College offers a range of courses in professional cookery. To discover more about the opportunities available at the top FE College for education and training in Cornwall, visit cornwall.ac.uk.

The silver medals at the Country Range UK Student Chef Challenge are not just awards; they are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion that define the culinary students at Cornwall College. This achievement sets a benchmark for what is possible when young talent is nurtured with quality education and training.