Barrow catering students have recipe for success   

Furness College catering students won an inter collaborative masterchef contest against students from Lancaster and Morecambe College. 

The Barrow college hosted the challenge which tasked students to design and prepare a two course meal. 

The teams of four consisted of Level Two full-time students and catering and hospitality apprentices.

The competition took place in Furness College's industrial kitchens and involved visiting judges from the college’s staff, management, governors and invited guest chef, Craig Sherrington from Virginia House, Ulverston.

The students were presented with a range of ingredients which they had to make into a two course meal under timed conditions.

The students were commended by the judges for their enthusiasm, professionalism and maturity and their ability to work under extreme pressure. 

The winners were presented with trophies sponsored by Parsons of Kendal and McClures. A range of prizes were sponsored by Russums, Costa in Ulverston and Chocolateroom by Tony Bennett.

Organiser of the competition, Sarah Kendall said; “This was the first time we’ve held this type of event. We wanted to use it as a way to show the students the pressures of working in a timed environment to mimic the real working world. Congratulations to all the students who took part – they are a credit to their colleges. We hope to make this an annual event.”

The winner was Furness College full-time Gerri McIssac. 

The Level Two food, beverage and professional cookery studies student has returned to college this year after having worked in the hospitality industry front of house. 

The 29-year-old would like to retrain to be a chef and hopes to run her own country pub or restaurant. 

She said, “I enjoyed the competition and felt well prepared as I’d practiced before the day. On the day I did however, feel nervous.”

Second was Furness College full-time Victoria Clark and third was Furness College full-time Ellis Axston.