Catering student makes regional finals

Catering student Xoan Gent is heading for a bright future in the kitchen after displaying his skills in the Delifresh Young Chef of the Year regional finals.

Xoan a Level 3 NVQ student in Professional Cookery, was the youngest competitor in the regional finals of the catering competition, where he pitted his wits against trainee and professional chefs under the age of 25 from across Yorkshire.

The Delifresh Young Chef of the Year competition aims to give excitement back to the catering industry, showcases the outstanding young talent in the trade and gives them a springboard to catapult their career.

Xoan prepared a delicious dish consisting of pan fried grouse and a black pudding croquet with confit grouse leg running through it, pickled blackberries and a port reduction sauce.

The experience gave Xoan vital insight into how other, more seasoned chefs work and gave him the chance to tap into their knowledge and techniques.

Xoan said: “I found taking part in the competition fun and it gave me good hands on experience on how food completions and presentation will work in the future. I also learnt how to cook food on such a strict time scale.

“Being the youngest competitor there was a little daunting at first and everyone had much more industry experience then I did, but as the day went on I realised that the age gap didn’t mean too much as I was still up there competing with them all.

“Studying at Barnsley College is really helping me progress in my catering career as I’m learning valuable skills that I will need in the real world. Also, preparing dishes for customers who attend the fine dining evenings at the college’s restaurant, The Open Kitchen, are really good for hands on experience as it is a little insight in what to expect when I finish my course.”

To find out more about our Catering and Hospitality courses visit the Barnsley College website: www.barnsley.ac.uk/catering or contact the Information Team by calling: 01226 216 123 or emailing: info@barnsley.ac.uk

To find out more about The Open Kitchen and the fine dining evenings please visit: www.barnsley.ac.uk/shops-services/the-open-kitchen/