Top chef stirs up students’ enthusiasm
Budding chefs from South Thames College were treated to a masterclass from legendary French chef Albert Roux OBE. Roux joined the students in the kitchens of the college’s Hospitality and Catering Academy as they tested their techniques ahead of the menu pitches that will see them compete to serve their dishes at the prestigious Investec Derby Festival 2015.
The student chefs have been given an exclusive opportunity to design, cook and serve a three-course menu for Investec and its clients at the two-day event held at the Epsom Downs Racecourse in June 2015. To help refine their dishes before they present their ideas to Investec representatives and Epsom Downs Racecourse chefs, the world-renowned chef spent the afternoon at the college’s Merton Campus making sure the students’ food had the wow factor and giving them advice on how to improve.
Working in teams, students presented dishes from their menus which included beetroot and squash ravioli with a goat’s cheese foam, fillet of steak with peppercorn ice cream and a popcorn-infused pannacotta. The creators of the winning menu will be given the unique opportunity to cook their menu with the Jockey Club Catering team at Epsom Downs Racecourse. Dishes will then be served by their classmates at Investec’s hospitality suite, hosting more than 1,000 people.
Albert Roux OBE said: “I was certainly impressed with the students’ work and the imagination that went into the courses. Quite honestly, that food could have been served in many restaurants throughout the UK and France.”
Level 2 Professional Cookery student, Morgan Thomas, said: “When I started this course I never thought for a second someone like Albert Roux would try my food throughout my career, let alone while I was still learning at college. I’m really excited to be involved because I’ve been to the Investec Derby Festival before and the experience is unique. To have so many people see my ideas on a plate would mean a lot to me.”
Steve Cannell, Head of the Hospitality and Catering Academy at South Thames College, said: “It was a real honour to host Albert Roux at the Academy and for him to share his expertise with our students. It’s a day they’ll never forget and his feedback has undoubtedly boosted their confidence for the competition pitch and inspired them to pursue their ambitions beyond.”
The groups presented their ideas to the judging panel last week, Friday 24 October, with successful students taking part in a cook off in the following stage. The winners will be announced in early December 2014.
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Notes to editors
Jockey Club Catering manages the catering at Epsom Downs Racecourse and is a joint venture between Compass Group UK & Ireland and The Jockey Club. The partnership launched in 2009 with the vision of providing top quality catering, hospitality and service at the racecourses nationwide. The Jockey Club is the largest commercial group in British horseracing, made up of 15 racecourses.Held at Epsom Downs Racecourse, the annual Investec Derby Festival is considered to be the greatest flat race in the world. 2015 will mark the 236thyear of the event and expects to attract over 100,000 visitors across the two-days. Investec have committed to sponsor the prestigious event until 2021.
South Thames College
South Thames College is one of London’s largest colleges with campuses in Merton, Tooting and Wandsworth, It opened its £5.7m Hospitality and Catering Academy, based at the Merton Campus, in September 2013. Renowned chef, Bruno Loubet, is the Hospitality and Catering Academy’s chef ambassador - providing a link between the college and industry.
The Jockey Club
The Jockey Club has been at the heart of British racing for more than 260 years. Today the largest commercial group in the sport, The Jockey Club runs the largest racecourse group in the UK, made up of 15 racecourses: Aintree Racecourse; Carlisle Racecourse; Cheltenham Racecourse; Epsom Downs Racecourse; Exeter Racecourse; Haydock Park Racecourse; Huntingdon Racecourse; Kempton Park Racecourse; Market Rasen Racecourse; Newmarket Racecourses; Nottingham Racecourse; Sandown Park Racecourse; Warwick Racecourse; Wincanton Racecourse.
Jockey Club Catering
Jockey Club Catering (JCC) is a joint venture between Jockey Club Racecourses and Compass Group UK & Ireland providing food and beverages across The Jockey Club’s 15 racecourses. Operating at many of racing’s events, including the Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree, The Cheltenham Festival and Investec Derby Festival, JCC offers the full range of customer focused food and beverages and prides itself on using its local, national and international suppliers to deliver the finest hospitality throughout racing as well as conferences, weddings, meetings, exhibitions, which all require tailored catering solutions provide by JCC.
Investec
Investec is an international specialist bank and asset manager that provides a diverse range of financial products and services to a niche client base in two principal markets, the United Kingdom and South Africa as well as certain other countries. The group was established in 1974 and currently has approximately 8,200 employees. Investec sponsors the Investec Derby Festival, English Test Cricket, the England & GB Women’s Hockey teams, the South African Women’s Hockey team, the Investec Rugby Championship and Investec Super Rugby in New Zealand.
