Cambridge Chefs get a taste of culinary success

College Chefs and Front of House staff are celebrating their successes following the results of the University of Cambridge Culinary Competition 2011 which were announced at an Awards Ceremony held at Selwyn College on Thursday 10th November.

This year Clare College took the Stewards’ Cup, awarded to the highest scoring team, from the champion of last year, Emmanuel College.

Participants in the eight individual food classes comprising the Salon Culinaire and the Live Competition which involved a 90 minute cook-off, were awarded marks by a panel of judges, at the event held at Cambridge Regional College on Thursday 27^th October, which contributed to a Gold, Silver or Bronze award or a Certificate of Achievement.

There was also a class for Front of House staff who had to create table settings on the theme of the 2012 London Olympics.

Clare College collected a total of six Firsts (in the Canapés, Cold Starter, Hot Main Course, Hot Vegetarian Main Course, Afternoon Tea Cakes and Petits Fours classes). Firsts were also won by Pembroke College (Live Competition) Emmanuel College (Under 21’s and Cold Sweet), Christ’s College (Petits Fours) and Corpus Christi College (Front of House).

There were also awards for Poitr Porada from Murray Edwards (Best Hygiene Award); Adrienn Csiba from Pembroke College (Best Centre Piece); Cambridge Regional College (Best Newcomer) and Byron Franklin from Pembroke College (Best in Show).

Nick Lomax, Member of the Organising Committee for this year’s Competition said: "This annual Competition continues to be a really important event in the Colleges’ calendar as a way of showcasing the outstanding food produced by their kitchens. This year, we also benefitted from an excellent collaboration with Cambridge Regional College which plays a major role in training the next generation of chefs. Once again we are very grateful to all our generous sponsors, without whom we would not be able to run this Competition".

Judith Sloane, from Conference Cambridge added: "The usual high standard of the entries across all the classes underlines the excellent cuisine on offer to visitors coming to Cambridge for all types of conferences and events. Dining in College is often one of the highlights of an event and the annual University Culinary Competition ensures that the highest possible standards are not just maintained, but surpassed".

Judging was carried out by a team of professionals from the catering and hospitality industry led by Peter Griffiths, MBE, Salon Director, Hotelympia.

Category Winners 2011

Live Cookery Competition - sponsored by Major Foods

1st Byron Franklin - Pembroke College - Gold

(Starter: Braised Halibut, Fennel Puree & Crab Bisque. Main Course: Pork Tenderloin, Celeriac, Black Pudding Beignet with Apple Gel & Cider Sauce)

2nd Matthew Carter - Emmanuel College - Silver

3rd Philip Crouch – Sidney Sussex College - Bronze

Canapés Class - sponsored by Thomas Ridley

1st Alessandro Pannisi – Clare College - Gold

(Warm Shooter of Seafood & Green Tea, Horseradish Foam; Marinated Mackerel, Chive Cream, Red Onion & Gherkin; Game & Foie Gras Compression, Fig Relish;
Goats Cheese, Polenta, Pepper & Black Olive Jam)

2nd Maciej Kaniniski - Emmanuel College - Bronze

3rd Jay Witt – Westminster College – Certificate

Cold Starter Class - sponsored by Russums

1st Bartek Terech – Clare College - Gold

(Olive Oil Poached Salmon, Pressed Salmon, Scallop & Jerusalem Artichoke Terrine, Cucumber with Dill Cream, Apple Dressing, & Horseradish Foam)

2nd Knzysztof Jawonski, – Queen’s College – Silver

3rd Mateus Balaga – Clare College – Silver

Hot Main Course - sponsored by Denham Estate

1st Luca Patriccioli - Clare College – Gold

(Saddle of Local Rabbit with Liver, Brawn of Leg in Hot Spiced Set Jelly;
Kidney Bon Bons, Pointed Cabbage Potatoes, Medley of Vegetables, Beetroot Foam, Red Wine & Liquorice Jus)

2nd George Darling – Clare College - Gold

3rd Bartek Terech – Clare College -Gold

Hot Vegetarian Main Course - sponsored by Culinary Competition Committee

1st Onesto Lommellli - Clare College – Gold

(Butternut Squash Soufflé, Spiced Swede & Creamed Butterbeans in Celery, Curried Vegetable Slice, Paneer Cheese Koftas, Medley of Vegetables, Puy Lentil & Tomato Reduction)

2nd Mateus Balaga - Clare College - Silver

3rd Ashley Irvine - Sidney Sussex College – Bronze

Under 21s - sponsored by The Cambridge Food Company

1st Alex Martin – Emmanuel College - Gold

(Trio of Denham Estate Soay Lamb with Potato & Pancetta Terrine, Peas & Shoots)

2nd Tomas Illes - Sidney Sussex College - Silver

3rd Robert Blackwell- Sidney Sussex College - Silver

Cold Sweets - sponsored by The Dessert Company

1st Dan Abbs – Emmanuel College - Gold

(Green Apple Cloud with Apple Sorbet & Pistachio Cake)

2nd Oliver Prince - Emmanuel College - Silver

Joint 3rd Jose Ribeiro – Clare College - Bronze
Paul George - Sidney Sussex College – Bronze