COUNTRY RANGE STUDENT CHEF CHALLENGE Returns

With the next batch of culinary students embarking on catering courses across the UK and Ireland, we’re proud to once again be investing in their success with the Country Range Student Chef Challenge. It’s more important than ever that the industry continues to attract and develop new culinary talent, and the Country Range Student Chef Challenge has leant unyielding support with this over the past 25 years, testing essential core skills and techniques that culinary students are taught.

Run in collaboration with the Craft Guild of Chefs, who provide competition-standard judging and vital feedback to the students throughout the process, the Challenge is now open for applications.

Carefully designed in line with the NVQ syllabus to assess both classical and modern cooking techniques, it is open to teams of three student chefs studying hospitality or catering courses at secondary school, college and university.

The Timeline

1ST JULY – Open for Entries

30TH NOVEMBER – Deadline for Entries

MID-DECEMBER – Paper Judging

JANUARY/FEBRUARY – Regional Heats

MARCH 2024 – Grand Final at the HRC Show

The Prizes

Fantastic for the CV and job prospects, the victorious students will also win a special dining experience and the opportunity to work at a Michelin starred restaurant, plus a professional knife.

For the triumphant school, college, university and lecturer, claiming the title can be a powerful way of boosting their profile as leaders when it comes to catering courses, and providing fantastic national and regional publicity. We appreciate the additional time and resource that each and every lecturer invests in order to allow teams to enter the Challenge. As a result, we award the winning team lecturer with their very own engraved knife set.

The 2023 Brief And Theme

The focus for this year’s competition is ‘Love Local’ challenging teams to discover and showcase the best of their local area. With the world becoming more connected and global food trends often taking the headlines, it is easy to forget the wonders on our own doorstep. The food culture and traditions of a local area are heavily influenced and entwined by its history, landscape, people and weather. Local food also plays a significant role in how we connect with, cherish and support our community. To this end, each team of three culinary students need to prepare, cook and present a three-course, four-cover menu showcasing the produce, history, heritage and culinary traditions of their local area to meet the below criteria.

Starter

Vegetarian - can contain dairy and eggs.

Main

Seabass, one whole (suggested weight 1.2kg). Can bring gutted but must be filleted as part of the competition. Served with a mollusc or bivalve garnish, a starch and seasonal vegetables.

Dessert

Chocolate - at least 50% of Country Range White or Dark Chocolate Drops must be used or a combination of both.

For further information, application forms and to enter, please visit https:// countryrange.co.uk/about/ student-chef-challenge/

“I’m over the moon to be involved again in the next instalment of the Country Range Student Chef Challenge and am looking forward to seeing how the students approach this year’s exciting ‘Love Local’ brief. I can’t stress how important catering competitions are to young chefs looking to make a name for themselves in the industry so would advise any student with aspirations of reaching the top to get involved. It tests them on so many different levels and I believe the CRSCC is one of the best and most rewarding experiences for college catering students.” Lead Judge Chris Basten from the Craft Guild of Chefs

“The team aspect of the challenge definitely makes it a more enjoyable experience. It’s nice to have your friends backing you up who you have worked with before and it makes it a very real experience as teamwork is vital in any professional kitchen.” George Oakes from Westminster Kingsway, who were last year’s champions.

“I am absolutely delighted to see Iwona, Claire and Samantha get the Silver merit badge from the Craft Guild of Chefs and take third place in the Country Range Student Chef Challenge. It’s such a prestigious, highly regarded competition so I’m privileged to have been part of their journey and the memories they will have made.”

Annmarie Farr, Chef Lecturer at Ayrshire College