27th September 2016
Well done to two York College hospitality students who were crowned joint winners of the Young Chef of the Year competition at York’s Food Festival 2016.
Dan Stokes (aged 18), a Level 3 Professional Cookery student, who works at Skosh restaurant and Zach Abbott (aged 17), a Level 2 Professional Cookery student, who works at Mr P’s Curious Tavern, shared the title. They produced dishes to the very highest standard in front of a packed audience in the Festival’s demonstration tent in Sampson Square.
Year on year the standard of the Young Chef of the Year competition at the York Food Festival improves beyond recognition. Graham Fyfe, hospitality tutor at York College was one of the judges, as well as Stephanie Moon from the Rudding Park Hotel, Harrogate and Sharmini Thomas, an Indian cookery teacher from York.
Hospitality tutor Graham Fyfe said: “In terms of the calibre of the candidates, there was nothing to split Dan and Zach – they both deserved to win. Runner-up was 21 year old Luke Sanderson, a former Professional Cookery student at York College who is now employed at The Grand Hotel in York - he was only a few marks behind them. The competition is not just about producing food on a plate, it’s also about having a good knowledge of the products used and being able to pair flavours, as well as celebrating Yorkshire ingredients. The standard of food produced by all three chefs was really outstanding and the College and their individual employers are very proud of their achievements.”
Related Links
Professional Advanced Diploma Level 3
Professional Cookery Diploma Level 2