The Chefs’ Forum Event at Llangoed Hall was a Huge Success and a Student Bagged a Job!
Monday the 19th February saw over fifty top chefs from across Wales gather at the stunning Llangoed Hall in LLyswen, Brecon, for and inspirational day of cookery demonstrations, knowledge-sharing and networking. Students from NPTC Group Newtown Campus worked with Head Chef Nick Brodie to prepare and serve spectacular canapés for a tough audience of culinary experts and industry people.
There was an electric atmosphere as Welsh Chefs’ From all over the country relished the opportunity to meet their peers in a relaxed yet opulent environment to share knowledge and expertise. Some chefs travelled hours from North Wales to attend this ground-breaking industry event.
Having launched four years ago in Wales, The Chefs’ Forum is going from strength to strength and this was clear in the number of chefs who attended the day of butchery, grilling and chef demos.
The Chefs’ Forum cross-pollinates the hospitality industry enabling chefs to talk to local suppliers, equipment manufacturers and catering colleges whilst creating employment opportunities for students.
The event commenced with a terrific canapé and Sparkling Wine reception where students created and served bite-sized delights from Nick Brodie’s Llangoed Hall menu. Canapes included: Beef brisket Beignets, lamb samosas and goats curd and beetroot rice crackers.
The canapés went down a storm and were a great prelude to the welcome speech delivered by Llangoed Hall’s Head Chef Nick Brodie, NPCT Group Senior Lecturer Mandy Carter and Chefs’ Forum Founder Catherine Farinha.
The general consensus was that the students were a credit to their college and that they really maximised on the event. Guests witnessed learners talking to employers and suppliers, giving a very professional first impression.
Jack Cook of Walter Rose & Son performed a venison butchery demonstration and explained the importance of sourcing game responsibly.
Leander Cadbury and Claire Mansfield then gave a brilliant demo of the energy-saving Synergy Grill on the terrace.
Nick Brodie, Head Chef at Llangoed Hall commented: “The Students were brilliant today and I really enjoyed hosting The Chefs’ Forum at Llangoed Hall for a second time since its launch here four years previously. I have overheard many positive conversations of chefs saying that this event was really inspiring and worthwhile. For me, today was a great opportunity to meet fellow chefs in person and share my menu and knowledge.”
Nick was so impressed with NPTC Group level three student Stephanie Williams, that he offered her a job on the spot. She’s looking forward to her first shift this Saturday!
Nick performed a duo of Asian-influenced cookery demonstrations of Walter Rose sirloin steak with tonkatsu sauce and greens and rice congee, 60 day aged pork, pickles and cucumber to his peers:
Nick used a water bath to demonstrate sous-vide elements of the dishes and induction hobs to finish them. These relatively modern cooking techniques will encourage chefs in industry to update skill sets and will no doubt inspire new recipes. The students also benefit from seeing top chefs like Nick putting the principles that they are learning into practice.
Ingredients for the canapés and demos were donated by Chefs’ Forum Sponsors Creed Foodservice, Koppert Cress and Walter Rose & Son butchers. Chefs’ Forum events are dependent on this much-valued support to stage events for the good of the industry.
There was a great deal of positive feedback from students and staff at NPTC Group Newtown Campus. Speaking about her experience of the day, Mandy Carter, Senior Lecturer at the college said: “The Chefs’ Forum launch event went really well today. It was a great opportunity for our students to work with the talented Nick Brodie and I was very impressed with the way that they networked with employers.”
Chefs’ Forum Founder, Catherine Farinha concluded: “We’ve had a fantastic experience from start to finish at Llangoed Hall. Nick Brodie and his team have been a joy to work with and a real inspiration to the students. I have received a great deal of positive feedback from chefs and students alike which is extremely rewarding. This has been a fabulous event and I look forward to many more Welsh events as The Chefs’ Forum continues to flourish.”
The day ended with a stunning Llangoed Hall afternoon tea which the guests very much enjoyed.
The Chefs’ Forum will holds quarterly events in Wales. The next event will take place at Hensol Castle (Nr Cardiff) on the 30th April 2018.
Chefs, suppliers or colleges interested in joining The Chefs’ Forum and attending events should contact Catherine Farinha on 07585 700030.
Photography by: www.fayditphotography.com
