Weston College’s catering students learned about budgeting on Wednesday (18 January) as they went head to head in a ‘market challenge’.

The students were tasked with sourcing local ingredients from Arthur David Food Wholesalers in Bishop Sutton before bringing them back to the College and creating menu items priced at £1.50 each.

The students created a selection of appetising dishes which were then put on sale to College staff, with the team who sold the most winning a day at a Michelin star restaurant courtesy of the Chefs’ Forum.

The students were assisted in the kitchen by Steven Shore, Chef at Arthur David, who provided expert advice as the students cooked their meals.

The winning team included Alice Ruff, Joe Gallagher and Luke Johnson-Brown, who impressed College staff with a spicy winter vegetable tagine followed by plumb crumble and custard.

Richard Tudor, Chef Lecturer at Weston College, said: “The idea behind the market challenge was to teach our students how to cook to a budget and ensure that they can turn a profit.

“The students also got to experience liaising with suppliers and working to the demands of a professional kitchen.”

Weston College’s catering students benefit from being a part of the Chefs’ Forum Academy, which enables top chefs from across the region to work with the College’s students in order to give them expert advice and open the doors to many business and employment opportunities after they’ve finished their qualifications.