A team of Thanet College Catering students are celebrating after winning the regional semi-final of the Brakes Student Chef Challenge 2012.

The team of three Level 3 students won the South-East heat on 16 January, sailing through to the final of the competition. On 27 February they will compete at Hotelympia, London, against five other teams from across the UK, for the chance to win a host of fantastic prizes, including a work placement with world-class chefs. 

Chef Lecturer Steve Kendall mentored the team in their heat, and said the judges were very impressed. “They were extremely complimentary about the students, their professionalism and their dedication. This is the first time any of the students have competed, showing exactly what our students are capable of achieving,” he said.  

Students Predrag Kostig, Scott Wolley and Frazer Scully served up Tian of Crab with Tempura Prawn to start, followed by a main meal of Roast Breast of Pigeon with Blackberries, then Berry Trifle with Vanilla Ice Cream and Baileys Foam to finish. The team’s three-course meal wowed the panel of high-profile industry specialists, which included Christopher Basten, Executive Chef at the London Marriot Hotel, and the CEO of the Craft Guild of Chefs, Martin Bates.

The winning team will receive a five-day work experience placement hosted by Christopher Basten, as well as a set of knives and the coveted winner’s trophy. The second and third placed teams will each receive £75 worth of vouchers for Brakes Catering equipment, as well as medals and framed certificates. All six teams competing in the final will receive embroidered chef’s jackets, certificates and a year’s free student membership to the Craft Guild of Chefs.

The competition, run by food supplier Brakes, is one of the leading culinary contests for student chefs, only open to teams of Catering and Hospitality students.