HOSPITALITY students from across Northern Ireland recently gathered for the second NI Regional Colleges Hospitality Student of the Year competition.
At the event, supported by Bunzl McLaughlin, Northern Ireland Hotels Federation and Dillon Bass, students from Belfast Met, North West Regional College, South West College, South East Regional College and Southern Regional College competed to be named Student Chef of the Year 2017 and Food Service Student of the Year 2017. Their challenge was to work in a chef and food service partnership to create a three course meal, design a table setting and serve a panel of judges.
The creativity of students was noted by judges, Noel McMeel, Executive Chef, Lough Erne Resort and Philip Waring, Development Chef for Rational.
Commending the participants Mr. McMeel said: “The standard was phenomenal this year and it is great to see such passion and knowledge being displayed by students. Competitions of this nature build confidence and are a great link between the industry and education.”
Passion and creativity were also on display in the dining room as guest judges were served an aperitif on individually themed tables under the watchful eye of hotel gurus, James McGinn, from Europa Hotel and Marco Marro, from The Merchant Hotel. Guests marked contestants on their food, service and understanding of the menu. Competition sponsor Noel Branagh, managing director of Bunzl McLaughlin said: “Students demonstrated first class standards with a great sense of pride, passion and professionalism.
As a company, we are committed to developing talent and I know that some of the students who served me today will be the stars of the future.”
The winners were announced at a gala awards dinner in South Regional College (SRC) with the Student Chef of the Year 2017 accolade going to Anita Rush from SRC and Nicola McKiver from South West College being named Food Service Student of the Year.