UCB crowned Nestlé Toque d’Or Champions 2011
12th Jul 2011
The College of Food at University College Birmingham declared second time winners of a prestigious national hospitality competition.
For the second year in a row, the College of Food at University College Birmingham (UCB) has won one of the most prestigious hospitality competitions in the UK.
A team of six chef and food service students has been crowned Nestlé Toque d’Or Champions 2011 after beating off stiff competition from four other UK catering colleges.
Following weeks of training and practice sessions, for the grand final the team had to prepare and serve a three course meal for one hundred paying guests at the BBC Summer Good Food Show at the NEC in June.
Their restaurant concept was called Infusion, bringing together the tastes and flavours of the diverse cultures of Birmingham and focussing on ethically sourced and sustainable ingredients.
Their menu was a starter of Sumac seared Sirloin salad with bulgur wheat salad & golden raisins followed by pan fried sea bass in a Bengali tomato fish broth & prawn wonton. Dessert was Manjari chocolate délice, caramel ice cream, coffee macaroon and caramel sauce.
The team were chefs, Ellen Bailey, Matthew Devlin, Natasha Creamer and Kanakrowee Crofts and food service students Bharat Pattni and Adam Finney.
David Colcombe, Chef Director of Birmingham’s Opus restaurant, who is also an Honorary Fellow and Visiting Professor of Culinary Arts at University College Birmingham, helped to guide the team as official mentor, along with UCB lecturers Andrew Bisconti and Richard Taylor.
The prize is a European study trip for the UCB team and the College receives £4000 worth of catering equipment.
Acclaimed chef, James Tanner, Chairman of the competition judges said:
“I want to congratulate the College of Food once again. The entire team really rose to the occasion at the BBC Good Food Show in the Grand Finals. I think it is incredibly easy to forget how young the individuals are who take part in the competition and the phenomenal journey they have been on. It is a real test of skill, imagination, passion and commitment and what they manage to achieve is often nothing short of exceptional”.
Professor Ray Linforth, Principal, University College Birmingham said: “When we won this competition in 2010 it was fantastic news. To have won it again this year is tremendously exciting and a real achievement as it is known to be one of the toughest in the industry. We are all so proud of the team, they have worked very hard and deserve their success”.
Nestlé Professional®, Managing Director, Neil Stephens congratulated the teams who took part. He said: “ The College of Food at University College Birmingham and all the finalists have shown strength of character and skill beyond their years”.
