Top Chefs Reinforce Vital College Links with Chefs’ Forum Academy Demo and Dine event at Gloucestershire College!

Following the launch of The Chefs’ Forum Academy at Gloucestershire College in January 2017, top chefs gathered at the college for a fantastic Demo and Dine event working with hospitality and catering students at the college.

William Guthrie (Minster Mill & Buckland Manor), Michael Nizzero (The Bath Priory), Kuba Winkowski (Kubarn) and Matt Peters (Lucknam Park) all worked together to produce a stunning four course meal for the chefs and front of house professionals who attended.

The event took the format of ‘Demo and Dine’, in that each chef worked with the students to produce sample bowls of their demo dish. The front of house students then served the sample bowls to the audience of local employers who were extremely impressed.

The menu, paired to Codornìu Vina Pomal wines comprised:

Starter
Will Guthrie – Buckland Manor & Minster MillMichaels dish
Confit duck yolk, celeriac, pickled beech mushroom, Morteau and maple vinegar
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Fish Course
Michael Nizzero – The Bath Priory
Cured Salmon, citrus avocado, radishes and KC Caviar
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Main Course
Kuba Winkowski – KubarnKuba dish
Red legged partridge, Jerusalem artichoke, quince and hazelnuts
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Dessert
Matt Peter – Lucknam Park
Tonka bean, almond, pear and cocoaMain Course
~
Welsh Cheese Course
-Caws Cenarth – Golden Cenarth
-South Caernarfon Creameries – Cavern Aged Cheddar
-Cosyn Cymru – Brefu Bach

The Chefs’ Forum Academy masterclasses involve various chefs and front of house experts coming into the college to give a compelling and inspirational course of study throughout theMatt Peters plating academic year, culminating in work experience opportunities at the participating properties and businesses. Kuba and Matt have not only taught in the Gloucestershire College Academy, but in other Academies in West London College and Coleg Gwent.  The Chefs’ Forum Academy also operates in The Manchester College with further colleges set to adopt this fantastic programme of curriculum enrichment in 2020.  William and Michael have both hosted Chefs’ Forum events at both the Minster Mill and The Bath Priory.  Last year’s Spring Lunch at The Bath Priory saw £4000 raised for The Chefs’ Forum Educational Foundation.

Michael Nizzero said

“The students have worked extremely well today in the kitchen with me and all of the other chefs who have taken part today.  Its great to have performed a live cookery demo for The Chefs’ Forum. I was verMichael Nizzeroy impressed with the level of professionalism and positivity shown by the students today in asking lots of questions. Gloucester College is a very well-run college, headed-up by Mark and his team of talented lecturers who gave me a very warm welcome. I would happily welcome any of the students to The Bath Priory on work experience based on their excellent performance today.”

Chef Lecturer Mark Hyde-Catton has been very active in supporting quarterly Chefs’ Forum events over the last six years, ensuring the students know the importance of putting themselves forward to raise their individual profiles to prospective employers.

The move to bring local chefs and experts into the college to work with the students serves to galvanise existing relationships with local employers and further-reinforce industry links for the college.

Will GuthrieChefs’ Forum Founder Catherine Farinha commented:

“Today’s event was a great success. It was fantastic to welcome such esteemed chefs to the college today.  I am delighted to announce that the Chefs’ Forum Academy project has now rolled-out to three other colleges we currently work with. This initiative comes after seven years of very successful quarterly networking events, working with hospitality industry specialists from across the region as well as staff and students from Gloucestershire College. The Chefs’ ForumStudent Plating prides itself on sharing industry knowledge and best practice in catering colleges and The Chefs’ Forum Academy ensures top chefs continue to pass on their skills to the next generation, inspiring young chefs.”

The Chefs’ Forum serves to bridge the gap between education and industry and inspiring young chefs and front-of-house professionals.  Not only does it stage 40 events per year across 10 geographical regions, but it now organises and manages an intensive programme of curriculum enrichment at Gloucestershire College, West London College, Coleg Gwent and The Manchester College.  It is also running a national initiative across all four colleges and University College Birmingham to boost GCSE English and Maths attendance in rewarding students with meals and afternoon teas at prestigious restaurants if a range of positive criteria are met.

Photography by: www.jcampbellphotography.co.uk