Escoffier Challenge
Thu, 22 July 2010
Tameside College was delighted to host the Association Culinaire Française (North West Branch) regional final of the Escoffier Challenge. The north west competition was coordinated on the day of competition by Tameside lectures Paul Yau and Kevin Amesbury, along with a team of chef judges from respected hotels, restaurants and prestigious venues.
This final brought students and professionals from around the region to compete in two classes. The chefs had to design a three course meal for two people using ingredients from a mystery basket of commodities.
This year the compulsory commodities found within the basket included luxury items such as 1 large whole ‘Bress’ duck, a whole trout, brown shrimps, dark and white chocolate and fresh Foie Gras along with optional additional mystery items including a large selection of fruit, vegetables and dried products.
The chefs were given 15 minutes to think of a menu using the ingredients found in the basket and 3 hours to create and submit plans for their personalised menu. After a fierce competition Billy Frost from Doncaster College was announced junior winner, whilst Christopher Owen from Castle Hotel Conway was announced professional winner.
Both Billy and Christopher will now represent the North West in the national final in October to be held at the Cordon Bleu in London with the winners going on to represent the United Kingdom in the European final to be held in Belgium in 2011.