The sparkling futures of a group of aspiring young chefs were toasted with English sparkling wine last week at the National Final of the Teflon® Diamond Standards Awards 2015.
Wilbert Broeksmit, Teflon® non-stick coatings Business Manager EMEA comments;
“Teflon® non-stick coatings and our fellow sponsors Europasonic, NoStik, Sitram and Wham strongly believe the awards to be a meaningful way to recognise and reward excellence and a positive way to encourage and attract high achieving young people into the catering industry”.
The venue for the Final was Waitrose Cookery School in North London, where 11 young chefs aged 16-19 competed against each other in a Master Chef style series of tests. The prize, a prestigious three year Specialised Chefs Scholarship managed and delivered by the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and Bournemouth & Poole College.
One of the judges, John Williams MBE, Executive Chef at the Ritz, Chairman of the Royal Academy and also a great supporter of the Scholarship having trained many scholars himself, comments;
“Teflon® non-stick coatings and its co-sponsors have given their valuable support to a fantastic initiative and one that will undoubtedly kick start an amazing, life changing opportunity for the lucky winner”
Performing in front of an elite panel of professional chefs, comprising; Lesley Waters – TV celebrity chef, John Williams MBE – Executive Chef at the Ritz, Martyn Nail – Executive Chef at Claridge’s, James Golding – Chef Director at the Pig Group and David Boland - Senior Chef Lecturer at Bournemouth & Poole College, the contestants were put through their paces in a series of skills tests culminating in the preparation of a traditional dish with a twist following a recipe of their choice.
James Ganderton, a 17 year old student from Loughborough College was the deserving winner and recipient of the three year Scholarship that will comprise study at Bournemouth & Poole College and block release training alongside a top professional chef in one of the finest restaurants in the country.
John Williams MBE continues;
“The finals brought out the very best in these young students, with some first class innovation. In the end James proved himself to be a very worthy winner”.
Performing consistently to an excellent standard throughout the final, James‘s traditional dish with a twist was a chicken chasseur with wild mushrooms, tarragon and garlic, reflecting an interest in local produce originally inspired by his Mother and Grandmother.
Darren Creed, James’s teacher at Loughborough College comments;
“I am so pleased for James. Winning this competition is a career changing moment for him. James has worked so hard on his practical food this year and this is a just reward. What is so refreshing about James is his undoubted ability, attention to detail and dedication. Despite his win he was back into college again the following morning, just as normal”.
Andy Godfrey, Retail Manager for Teflon® non-stick coatings in the UK comments;
“In response to the enormous success of this year’s closely contested competition and the huge support it has received from schools, colleges, sponsors and partners, we are giving serious consideration to the establishment of the Teflon® Diamond Standards Awards as an annual event”.
For more information about the Final contact Andrea Beddows at Dupree Creative andrea.beddows@dupreecreative.com 01780 75766 or check out the Teflon® DSA website www.teflondsa2015.co.uk
