Celebrating Another Exceptional Year of The Chefs’ Forum Academy at West London College

The Chefs’ Forum Academy has proudly wrapped up its’ 6^th inspiring year of masterclass sessions at West London College, ending on a high note with an unforgettable MasterChef-inspired grand finale on Thursday 3rd July.

This final session captured the energy and creativity that has defined another brilliant year of masterclasses at the college. Students were given the ultimate culinary challenge: a mystery box of ingredients and just 15 minutes to plan a dish before diving into one hour of focused cooking and plating. Each group had 15 minutes to clean down, followed by personalised feedback from our esteemed list of chef judges: Geanina Rugina, Executive Chef at Louie London, Jason Howard, Chef Consultant, Chanaka Fernando, Global Executive Chef at Buddha Bar and Sean Simmonds, Culinary Director at Graysons.

Their collective insight and encouragement left a lasting impact on the students, who relished the opportunity to cook for, and learn from, some of the industry’s finest.

Jason Howard, Chef Consultant said:

“The professionalism showed in the kitchen was truly inspiring. What The Chefs’ Forum Academy is doing for the next generation of chefs is incredible! It’s giving them direct access to the realities of the industry and helping shape serious culinary talent.”

The final MasterChef-style session was a fitting conclusion to a year full of hands-on learning and guest masterclasses through the Chef’s Forum Academy, a programme that continues to bridge the gap between college training and real-world industry expectations.

Geanina Rugina, Executive Chef at Louie London said:

“It was incredible to see the talent and passion these students brought to the table. They showed real creativity, composure, and a genuine love for cooking, all qualities you need to thrive in this industry.”

Congratulations to students Anais Samuel O’Donoghue (Level 2) and Rudy Cameron Neylon (Level 1), who were named winners, with runners-up Prinal Dhiru (Level 1) and Hakeem Muhammad (Level 1) also impressing the judges with their culinary creations.

Denise Charles, Head of Curriculum – Service Industries, West London College said:

“The Chefs’ Forum Academy is vital for our students as it brings industry into the classroom in the most practical and inspiring way. The MasterChef style session was a standout moment, challenging them to perform under pressure and impress top level chefs with their creativity and skill.”

A huge thank you to our guest judges and of course, the talented students who rose to the occasion. We can’t wait to see what the next year brings!