College students cook up a storm in Wales

Hospitality and Catering students from Shrewsbury Colleges Group London Road Campus smashed it at the Welsh International Culinary Championship last month bringing home 21 medals.

The students travelled to Llandrillo College in north Wales, to compete in the three day annual championships that take place every February. There were 16 other colleges involved and 34 competitions to take part in, from smoothie making to table laying.

It was the largest team of students that Shrewsbury Colleges Group has ever taken to the championships and they came away with a whopping 21 medals and three awards. The accolades weren’t just for the students, with one of the college teachers coming away with a bronze medal himself. These were all presented at a meal and ceremony at Llandudno Bay Hotel on the last day of the championships.

Ellie Butler, 16, from Bridgnorth, won a gold medal and claimed the very prestigious Eric Bruce award for best junior. She said: “I competed in a knife skills and street food competition. For the street food round I created a spicy Korean pork dish with rice and courgette noodles. The championships are fun to be involved in. We’re used to cooking in the professional kitchens at College with only our teachers and classmates watching, but here we had a bigger crowd and that was a good confidence builder.

“I really enjoy the course at London Road Campus and aim to be a Chef once I’ve completed it.”

Daniel Gibbons, Head Chef Lecturer, said: “We are very proud of all our students and everything they achieved at the Welsh International Culinary Championships. They showed focus, dedication and hard-work; all the perfect attributes to succeed in the hospitality and catering industry.

“This competition gives our students some great training and is an excellent opportunity to rub shoulders with other colleges. The whole event gives the students a real confidence boost and we look forward to competing again next year.”

For more information on A Levels, visit www.ssfc.ac.uk or call 01743 235491. For more information about vocational courses and Apprenticeships, visit www.shrewsbury.ac.uk or call 01743 342342. Or come to the Advice Event on 22 March at London Road, between 5- 7.