WIFI Boosts Christmas Cheer at West London College

On Tuesday, 3rd December 2024, West London College played host to an unforgettable evening as The Chefs’ Forum partnered with Women in the Food Industry to deliver “Christmas Canapés and Festive Fireside Chats.” Bringing together aspiring chefs, food producers, and industry professionals, the event celebrated culinary creativity, sustainable practices, and the transformative power of collaboration.

Guests were greeted with a glass of bubbly upon arrival, setting the tone for a festive evening. The culinary spotlight shone on a dazzling selection of Christmas canapés, prepared by West London College students under the guidance of two leading chefs: Anjula Devi, renowned author and Consultant Chef for Manchester United FC, and Rebecca Marshman, Group Head Pastry Chef at BaxterStorey. Together, they mentored the students in crafting elegant, flavourful bites, showcasing the next generation of culinary talent.

Next was a live auction with seven fantastic lots, kindly donated by stakeholders and sponsors, which generated a fantastic total of £825 to enable students from West London College to attend national culinary competitions.

What were the prizes?

A fantastic cocktail masterclass with Bar Manager of the Year 2024, Salvatore Maggio and dinner for two at The Franklin London

Royal Mash vodka gift hamper – including 70cl full size bottle of Royal Mash Vodka, limited edition branded bar blades, bottle openers and other branded merchandise

Pamper day for two at The Salon and lunch in TASTE Restaurant at West London College

Dinner and cocktails for two at Gouqi London

Dinner for two at Heliot Steak House (Winner of Best Casino Restaurant in Europe) by Executive Chef Ioannis Grammenos with a bottle of wine

Dinner, bed and breakfast for two at Idle Rocks Hotel in St Mawes, Cornwall

Lunch or dinner for two at Pillars Restaurant at University of West London

A key feature of the evening were the fireside chats, which provided thought-provoking discussions led by a panel of inspiring industry leaders. Mex Ibrahim, Co-founder of Women in the Food Industry, hosted the conversation. With her extensive background in marketing and her advocacy for inclusion, sustainability, and ethical practices, Mex set the stage for meaningful dialogue.

Joining her was Anjula Devi, whose mastery of Indian spices and dedication to promoting healthy cooking have shaped her career as an author, consultant, and ambassador for TRS Foods. Her cookbook Spice for Life reflects her passion for flavour and wellness.

Also on the panel was Christine Bailey, an award-winning performance nutritionist and chef, whose expertise spans corporate wellbeing and sports performance. As Group Director of Nutrition & Wellbeing at Thomas Franks, Christine has championed innovative approaches to health and authored several books, including The Gut Health Diet.

Rounding out the panel was Louisa Payne, founder of Brixton Wine Club and The Wine Tap Van. Louisa’s ventures have redefined wine service, offering sustainable, tap-based options that reduce CO2 emissions while bringing quality wines to major events like the F1 Grand Prix and Park Life Festival.

Executive Pastry Chef Rebecca Marshman from BaxterStorey was invited to join the panel to give her insight into the industry and the importance of nurturing and inspiring female chef talent in the next generation. Rebecca worked with the students to create stunning sweet canapés for the industry guests to enjoy.

The evening also featured local food and drink producers showcasing their high-quality offerings, giving attendees the chance to explore sustainable and innovative ingredients.

This unique blend of culinary expertise, networking, and education made the event a standout celebration of talent and innovation in the food industry. By fostering collaboration and inspiration, The Chefs’ Forum and Women in the Food Industry once again demonstrated their commitment to shaping the future of food, one conversation and one canapé at a time!

Thank you to First Choice Produce and Aussie Beef & Lamb for kindly sponsoring the delicious ingredients and Prosecco DOC for sponsoring the bubbles.