Team Jersey whisk away top prize in culinary competition

Saturday 11 March 2017

Highlands College students rose to the occasion under the guidance of Michelin Star chef Mark Jordan to beat Westminster Kingsway College London, and Bradford College in Yorkshire, in the first ever inter-college culinary competition - Heat.

Jersey chefs-to-be and their front-of-house fellow students were awarded the Peter Querée Trophy during a Gala celebration hosted by celebrity chef James Tanner at the Hotel de France.

Mark Jordan, who led Team Jersey to victory, said they were, "...thrilled to have won Heat 2017," calling the students, "...outstanding, both in the kitchen and front of house."

"They executed the dishes perfectly and there was real synergy between the kitchen and the restaurant. Fantastic team work. They should be very proud of their achievement", he added.

Team Jersey included four student chefs -  Ben Millar, Kalem Taylor, Emily Hutton and Scott McCoy - four restaurant students - Niamh Crowley, Carolina Francisco, Matthew Hogben and Grace Buesnel - as well as one chef lecturer, Dominic Farrell and one restaurant lecturer, Mihaela Lazarescu. Their menu included Jersey squid and scallop, beetroots, duck and potato and herb gnocchi as well as white chocolate mousse.

Heat 2017 Highlands College Jersey Team from Freedom Media on Vimeo.

Four high profile chefs, Henry Brosi, Stephen Scuffell, Andrew Bennett MBE and Paul Gayler MBE, acted as judges during the three-day event, sponsored by Cimandis and the Craft Guild of Chefs.

All three colleges prepped their meals and served them at the Highlands Academy Restaurant with members of the public purchasing tickets to enjoy the tasty creations. The budding chefs were being watched carefully but so were the front-of-house students. 

Eileen Buicke-Kelly, Director of Culinary Arts and Catering Operations at Highlands College, said she was, "...very proud of the students. It was lovely to be able to host the Heat competition for the first time, but of course to win, it's amazing. We are looking forward to run again next year and to welcome other colleges from the UK."

Dave Chalk, Chair of Jersey Craft Guild of Chefs said "The standard of the inter-college culinary competition was exceptionally high and the Jersey team were up against two of the UK’s top culinary colleges.“