South Trafford students celebrate Toque d'Or win
Catering students from South Trafford College team have lifted this year's Nestlé Toque d'Or trophy.
Honouring England's football heritage, the students built a menu and restaurant around the British Classics Nineteen Sixty Six theme, including St George's tablecloths, images of the 1966 team and English roses on tables.
The finals took place at the Home Show in London, with South Trafford seeing off opposition from Sheffield, Lancaster & Morecambe and Kilmarnock colleges. The winning team included chefs Stuart Fairbrother, Marvin McGogg-Singh and Thomas Sporrer, captained in the kitchen by Richard Carver and supported by Richard Brown and Jess Smith serving front-of-house.
The winning menu kicked off with spiced Parsnip Soup garnished with fruit dumplings. This was followed by Trio of Lamb - a herb crusted lamb cutlet, home-made Lamb and Mint Sausage and individual miniature Shepherds Pie, served with seasonal vegetables. The dessert was Chocolate and Coffee Bread and Butter Pudding drizzled with Orange and Vanilla Foam.
Martin Webster, event organiser, Nestlé FoodServices said: "Each year I am amazed at the passion, commitment and ability of the students competing at Toque d'Or and this year was no exception.
"Cooking for 100 guests in an unfamiliar kitchen is a daunting experience in itself and is made more so with the added pressure of a competition environment and members of the public watching every move. I would like to congratulate all four teams in this year's final - the standard of food was exceptional, providing the judges with a difficult decision in choosing a winner."
As part of their prize, the six winning students will visit North Carolina, USA on a study trip at Johnson & Wales University. This will include the opportunity to meet some of the USA's leading catering professionals and enjoy an insight into the stateside hospitality industry and current food trends. The college, along with the other three finalists, will also receive catering equipment from Electrolux Professional.
