Following the unprecedented success of the 2013 Annual Skills Competitions, The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) welcomed over 200 talented chefs, food service personnel, caterers and baristas from Higher Education Institutions across the UK back to Blackpool earlier this week, to take part in 2014’s competitions.
TUCO Ltd – the UK’s leading organisation supporting learning and developing of catering employees operating in the Higher Education sector – put the competitors through their paces with a series of events, which included two cookery competitions – a fine dining Chefs’ Challenge, a Chef of the Year Award for creative university student-focused dishes – Static Salon Display Competition, a Food Service Skills Challenge, testing the knowledge and skills of front of house service staff, and a Barista Skills Competition.
Entrants were judged on technical skill, timing and presentation across the cookery competitions, with set basic ingredients accompanied by imaginative flair to make each dish unique. Static presentation competitions showcased the artistic presentation of cold canapés, plated meals and afternoon tea along with a coffee shop cakes and decorated novelty cakes whilst the Food Service Skills Challenge required flower arrangement, table setting and faultless service and knowledge for four covers.
The event culminated in the TUCO 2014 Skills Competition Awards Dinner and ceremony at the Blackpool Hilton.
Winners of the awards
TUCO Chef of the Year – James Tudor, The University of Keele
TUCO Service Skills Challenge – Andre Goncalves, The University of Keele
TUCO Barista Skills Challenge -Bill Frances, The University of Bristol
TUCO Salon Culinaire – Stephen Mather, The University of Cambridge
TUCO Chefs Team Challenge – The University of Cambridge
Sharing knowledge and learning for members
Julie Barker, Managing Director of TUCO Ltd explains the value of the Skills Competitions to members:
“The annual TUCO Skills Competitions have become a major source of sharing knowledge and learning for our members. Whilst it gives them the platform to showcase their skills – which have been exceptional – it also provides the opportunity to network, share best practice and demonstrate the passion they have for their craft. University catering is now a highly sophisticated career path, it’s not only about providing students with a much needed service, but also encompasses events, fine dining and creativity.
“This year has seen another tremendous turnout from some of our finest, who have demonstrated skills that could give the chefs, baristas and maître d’s from all over the world a run for their money!”